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^ 1 THE ^ 



HISTORY 



OF 



DON FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA'S^ 

ATTEMPT TO EFFECT A c/ 

' . mmvoi^uTioM f 

IN 

SOUTH AMERICA, 

IN A SERIES OF LETTERS. 



BY A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS AN OFFICER UNDER THAT 
GEIf£RAL>TO HIS FRIEND IN THE UNITED STATES. 



TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED, < : ~ / 

*• ■ SKETCHES OF THE 

LIfIs OF- MIRANDA, 

AND GEOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF 

CARACCAS. 



thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot 
Unlikely wonders. SHAK 



Published b 
no. 




DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS— To wit. 

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the seventh day of 
October, in the thirty second year of the Independence of 
the United States of America, Oliver 8c Munroe, of the 
said District, have deposited in this Office, the Title of a 
Book, the Right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the 
words following — to wit : 

" The History of Don Francisco De Miranda's attempt 
to effect a Revolution in South America, in a Series of 
Letters. By a gentleman who was an officer under that 
general, to his friend in the United States. To which are 
annexed, sketches of the Life of Miranda, and geographical 
notices of Caraccas. 

Thoughts tending to ambition, they do plot 
Unlikely wonders. Shak." 

conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United 
States, entitled, " An Act for the Encouragement of Learn- 
ing, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, 
to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, 4uring the 
times therein mentioned and also to an Act gntkled, 
"An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled An Act for the 
Encouragement of Learning, by securing \he Copies of 
Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors 
of such Copies during the times therein mentioned ; and 
extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, 
Engraving and Etching Historical and other Prints,'* 

WILLIAM S SHAW, 
Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 



CONTENTS. 



PREFACE. 

LETTER I. 

Commencement of the expedition — Ship and commander* 
—Author's views and expectations In joining Miranda, — 
Supposed destination. — Reasons for believing the enter- 
prise sanctioned by the government of the United 
States* * 

LETTER II. 

Account of Miranda. — His age. — Leander spoken by the 
British frigate Cleopatra, and near being sent to Ber- 
muda for trial,— Sailors impressed.— Happy result. 8 

LETTER ill. 

Spanish schooner brought to. — Conjectures upon this un- 
usual procedure. — Stratagem to deceive the master of 
the schooner. — Miranda appoints his officers. — Their 
names and distribution into corps. — Uniforms, &c.— 
Arrival at Jacquemel. — Accident. 14 

LETTER IV. 

Difficulty of getting into port. — A quarrel, and its appre- 
hended mischiefs. — Scene on the deck of the Leander — 
Form of officers' commissions, — A sail seen. — Complaint- 
of the effects of delay.— Return of Capt. Lewis-. $3 



iv 



CONTENTS, 



LETTER V. 

Columbian colours displayed. — Schooner Bee chartered. — 
Report from Laguira.— - Aspasia.—- Disturbance in the 
Bee — Disappointment respecting the ship Emperor.~ 
Schooner Bacchus engaged. — Supposed to bring a spy. 
— Treatment of a Danish vessel. 35 

LETTER VI. 

Preparations for departure. — Declaration made and sworn 
to by the officers. — Compensation of the officers 42 

LETTER VII. 

Departure from JacquemeL— Change of men to the. 
schooners. — Officers engaged at this island.—- A brawl. 
— A sail seen. 46 

LETTER VIII. 

Another dispute. — Ship falls to the leeward, — Chases a 
vessel. — The Leander cannot use the American En- 
sign. 52 

LETTER IX. 

Arrival at Aruba.— Maneuvering the troops. — Remarks. 

55 

LETTER X. 

Departure from Aruba. — Events till the arrival on the 
coast. — Singular order* — A great dispute. — Resigna- 
tion of Lewis. — The Main land in sight. — Sailors en- 
listed as soldiers. — Ready to land. 57 

LETTER XI. 

The Leander attacked by two Spanish Guarda Costas. — 
The schooners Bee and Bacchus captured. — Rencount- 
er with them. — Lewis not to blame for the loss of the 



CONTENTS- 



v 



schooners. — Names of the officers and men captured.— 
Discovery of the want of water. — Shape our course for 
the island of Bonair.— The officers entertain suspicions 
of their chief. — They have private consultations. — Con- 
duct of the general in the action and subsequent council 
of war and their determination.— Reflections, Sec* 70 

LETTER XII.- 

Undignified conduct of his excellency to one of his offi- 
cers, 8cc. 83 

LETTER XIII. 

Off Margaritta. — Leander endeavours to avoid every 
strange saik — Crew on short allowance. — Hardships.— 
Religious service on board and Miranda's conduct re- 
specting it. 86 
LETTER XIV. 

Arrival at Grenada.— Refreshed, and sail for Barba- 

does. 92 

LETTER XV. 

At Bridgetown. — Leander libelled and released, — Ar- 
rangements with Admiral Cochrane. — Lewis resigns,— 
Vanity and philosophy of M. 95 

LETTER XVI. 
At Trinidad.— Officers and men engaged there. — Gene- 
ral order.— Capt. Johnson.— Foolish handbill,— Depart- 
ure. i02 
LETTER XVII. 
Landing on the main. — Result. 109 
LETTER XVIII. 

At Amba.—EYents after leaving Trinidad^Army di^ 
A 2 



VL 



CONTENTS. 



embark. — Gain La Vela de Coro. — March to Cor©.—. 
Disaster at that place. — Return, and evacuation of the 
Main* 1 \ \ 

LETTER XIX. 
Other events previous to the evacuation of the Main* — 
Col. Hall's embarrassment — Threat of M« concerning 
his wounded men,— Capt. Johnson's misfortune. 132 

LETTER XX. 

M. takes possession of Aruba by proclamation, — Sickness 
of the men. — Courts Martial. 151 

LETTER XXI, 

Animadversions of officers on the Expedition. — Curracoa 
scheme. 169 

LETTER XXII. 

New captain appointed to the Leander.— His ill conduct 
and cruelty to the sailors- — Condition of the sick oh 
board.— Miranda's treatment of capt. Meade, command- 
er of the brig Commodore Barry,— Soliloquy. 188 

LETTER XXIII. 

Departure from Aruba. — Miranda and suite embark ifc 
the Seine frigate.— Lieut. Dwyer, an English officer, 
takes command of the Leander.— Events during the 
passage,— Arrival at Grenada. 197 

LETTER XXIV. 

Arrival at Trinidad. — Trimmer concern.— deception of 
Miranda and his followers at Port of Spain— Straits of 
the people. 207 
LETTER XXV. 

Disposition of the British commanders,— Mission to EH- 



CONTENTS, , in 

gland.— Process against Leander. — Dispersion of ofi> 
cers and men. — Fate of the prisoners.— Intercepted let- 
ters. — Intelligence from de Rouvray.— Characters* 23$ 

LETTER XXVI. 

"Result upon the means, conduct and object of the expedi- 
tion. — An apology for its agents* 24$ 

LETTER XXVII, 

Notices of Miranda, 279 
LETTER XXVIII. 
Geographical and statistical notices of Caraccas, $91 



J. 

PREFACE. 



.THE letters in this volume give an ac- 
count of the commencement, progress and ter- 
mination of Miranda's attempt to effect a revo- 
lution in South America. The facts came with- 
in the observation of the writer \ or were obtain- 
ed by careful enquiry. Tn history, says a great 
moralist and critick, the whole should be told. 
The author has told all that appeared to him at 
once proper to be related and interesting to the 
reader. These letters were written for the in- 
formation of the author's friends and to assist 
his own memory. After much deliberation and 
some doubt, he has been induced to commit them 
to the press. . The expedition of Miranda ex- 
cited attention and expectation at the time and 
has not ceased to be a subject of speculation. It 



x PREFACE. 

had a certain aspect upon our foreign relations^ 
and occasioned a discussion of much delicacy re- 
specting the conduct of the American govern- 
ment. It may be of some use to the world, that 
the agency of Miranda in this enterprise should 
be detailed and the impression he made on the 
minds of his unfortunate followers should be 
known. By the disclosure of the facts, the per- 
sons concerned with him may hope to be con- 
sidered with more equity and perhaps more fa- 
vour, than they would find, if the publick opin- 
ion were left to be formed by the fictions of ru- 
mour and the exaggerations of ignorance. It 
is possible that its developement will create an 
interest in behalf of that portion of Miranda 1 y s 
associates, now suffering imprisonment* or slav- 
ery in that country, where they dreamed they 
should enjoy and communicate liberty. This 
enterprise and its incidents afford a curious ex- 
hibition of human nature. The boldness of the 



* See an account of their situation in I. H. Sherman's pamphlet 
printed in New-York by Mc'Farlane and Long-. 



MIRANDA'S EXPEDITION. 



LETTER I. 

Commencement of the expedition. — Skip and 
commander. — Author's 'views and expecta- 
tions in joining Miranda. — Supposed destina- 
tion. — Reasons for believing the enterprise * 
sanctioned by the government of the United 
States. 

Ship Leander, at Sea, Feb. 5th, 1806. 
Dear Friend, 

PUBLICK rumour has probably given 
you some information of a mysterious expedi- 
tion, said to be fitting out at New- York, under 
the auspices of a celebrated character. I have 
been persuaded by my friend Mr. ***** to 
commit myself to the chances of an'enterprise, 
at once extraordinary and dangerous ; and to 
leave my own country once more, in hope of 
honour and its reward. You may perhaps fear 
that I have been seduced by the glitter of fair 
promises, or the allurements of novelty ; or 
prompted by a spirit of adventure to speculate 

B 



2 



too largely on the favours of fortune. It may be 
so; but I have deliberated much on the subject, 
and think I am justified in the resolution I have 
taken. I confess, however, that in forming it f 
the opinion of men, whose fortunes and charac- 
ters are staked on the issue,, had great authority. 

My new situation will no doubt furnish a 
variety of subjects and events for a correspon- 
dence, which I shall not neglect, because you 
have a claim to this attention ; and it will be 
no small consolation to keep you thus alive in 
memory during my absence. I propose to ad- 
dress to you an account of all the interesting 
occurrences that may happen in this expedition, 
remaining silent only when it shall be enjoin- 
ed by an honorable obligation, and choosing 
such a time for sending my letters as prudence 
and regard to my duty shall point out. 

We have been out three days, the wind 
blowing hard all the time, till within two 
hours. I begin my epistolary journal by in- 
forming you that the Leander is a ship of about 
two hundred tons burden, commanded by 
capt. Thomas Lewis, who is reputed to be a 
man of intrepidity, and a thorough master of 
his profession. He is said to have proved his 
spirit and bravery on occasions, which put them 



3 



to the test ; and his appearance and deportment 
are, in my estimation, strong indications of his 
possessing the character which report, and his 
own actions have established. From the little I 
have seen, I have no doubt of his seamanship ; 
for I notice he manages the vessel with skill 
and ease ; and the ocean seems to be his ele- 
ment. There are nearly two hundred souls 
on board, so that as you may conceive, we are 
very much crowded* and on that account, but 
ill accommodated* 

You naturally inquire what is the object 
and destination of this ship ? what do we pro- 
pose and whither are we going ? I am una- 
ble to give a positive answer to either of these 
questions ; for only a few confidential persons 
concerned are let into the secret ; nor do I 
know the extent of that knowledge relating to 
it, that possibly might be obtained, were I to 
make it my business to importune for particu- 
lar information. I deem it proper at this mo- 
ment, to suffer my curiosity to remain unsatis- 
fied till the period arrives when inquiry will 
not be considered impertinent, or an exposure 
of our plans and intentions impolitic. This, I 
apprehend, will shortly be the ease. I for one, 
and most others, have embarked upon genet* 



4 



al information and assurances that more shall 
be disclosed at a suitable season. We rely 
much on our leader and on those who recom- 
mended him to our confidence. We know 
enough not to be angry with ourselves for 
joining the undertaking ; we imagine and con- 
jecture much. Generally, I can say that we 
are engaged in an expedition to some part of 
the Spanish dominions, probably in South A- 
snerica, with a view to assist the inhabitants 
in throwing off the oppressive yoke of the pa- 
rent country ; and establishing a government 
for themselves, upon which we are told by our 
general they have resolved ; and for which he 
says they are entirely disposed and prepared. 
For this purpose the Leander was engaged 
and fitted out, as we understand, by the credit 
and funds^of Don Francisco de Miranda, the 
commander in chief of the expedition. The 
vessel is laden with arms of various "descrip- 
tions, ammunition, cloathing, and every kind 
of military equipage necessary for a campaign. 
A number of Americans, some of them gentle- 
men, and persons of good standing in society, 
though mostly, I believe, of crooked fortunes, 
have embarked. Few of us, before entering 
the ship- saw our leader, but had our commu- 



s 

nication with those, who w T ere his acknow- 
ledged agents and advocates. We have, as 
yet, made no definite engagements with him, 
nor he with us ; and I presume, if upon fur- 
ther insight into the business, or experience 
of the service, we shall be dissatisfied, we may^ 
if we please, withdraw ■; though it must be 
confessed our destinies, now we have proceed- 
ed so far, are seriously joined with those of 
Miranda. Do you ask, whether our taking % 
part in this enterprise consists with our rela- 
tion to our country, or with moral right, to 
say nothing of common discretion ? I hope it 
is inconsistent with neither. I will not say 
that there are not some of our company des- 
perate or base enough to disregard these 
weighty considerations. Perhaps it is a mat- 
ter of indifference to many of the volunteers in 
what cause they act, if it do but promise them 
an opportunity of distinguishing themselves by 
martial achievements, and afford a chance of ac- 
quiring some portion of the riches, supposed 
to be in the hands of unworthy possessors in 
the south. By the issue of this, undertaking 
they can hardly lose, and may gain. * But the 
greater number of those who can reasonably 

look for high places, or large emolument are 
*2 



aot desperadoes, though they are adventurers ? 
and although they are willing, from situation or 
temper, to try a bold and hazardous scheme, 
it would be illiberal as well as unjust to infer 
that they would act an unprincipled or dis- 
honourable part. 

We are encouraged in the belief that our 
government has given its implied sanction to 
this expedition^ and this circumstance, taken 
iS connexion with the official language of the 
President, and the known sentiments of some 
of the political party that now prevails, leads 
us to suppose that our government expects or 
intends, very soon explicitly to authorise the 
use of force against Spain. Under such im- 
pressions, we think we shall not be called to 
account as violating the pacifiek relations of 
the United States. The project of appearing 
for the relief of the oppressed, under the ban- 
ners of a celebrated chief, who is said to be 
their greatest friend and favorite ; of lending 
our assistance to found an independent state, 
in extensive, fertile and populous regions, 
where the spirit of the people is crushed and 
the resources of nature are kept down by a 
vile colonial policy, presents itself to our imag- 
inations and hearts in the most attractive light, 



■7 



and makes us rejoice that it has fallen to ow 
lot, to attempt the deliverance of a large por- 
tion of our fellow men. We flatter ourselves 
it is honourable and humane to be thus en- 
gaged ; still I am sensible that nothing short 
of complete success will ensure such a design 
the approbation of the mass of mankind. If 
we succeed, our fame will take care of itself. 
To quiet the revoltings of humanity and satis- 
fy us that we are not going upon cruel work, 
we are told that a revolution can take place 
in the country proposed, witfe little violence 
and perhaps without the loss of much blood : 
the people are said to be now awake to their 
sufferings, and inclined and competent to re- 
move the cause, as the government by which 
they are oppressed is weak and inefficient. 
On this disposition of the inhabitants to join 
the standard of our leader in such number as 
to compel the few friends of the old order to 
make terms without *klay, we place our ex- 
pectations of success. It is also intimated that 
we shall receive, as far as occasion shall require, 
the countenance and co-operation of the Brit- 
ish. After all, it must be confessed, we may 
be " plucking a thousand dangers on our 
heads;" but we presume our conductor knows 



s 



what he is doing, and will lead us to great ex~ 
ploits and splendid fortunes. 

LETTER Hi 

Account of Miranda. — His age. — Leander 
spoken by the British Frigate Cleopatra, and 
near being sent to Bermuda for trial. — Sail- 
ors impressed. — Happy result. 

February 9th, 1806. 

GEN. MIRANDA has heretofore era- 
ployed, and sometimes agitated, the publick 
mind. He bore a conspicuous part in the 
French army under Dumourier, whom, it is 
said, with what truth I know not, he used very 
ill. In the early period of the French revolu- 
tion, he is mentioned both with praise and 
censure. — From the opportunity I have had to 
see and hear him, since my coming on board, 
I should suppose him to possess great talents. 
He excels all men that ever I have known, in 
colloquial eloquence and power of persuasion. 
He discovers a full mind, furnished with com* 
prehensive and accurate information, improved 
by extensive reading, by travelling and obser- 
vation. According to his own account he is 



9 



in the fifty second year of his age. His ap- 
pearance is that of sixty. Perhaps no man 
living can boast a more retentive memory. 
His manners and address are extremely pleas- 
ing. In the treatment of us, his volunteers, he 
as all affability and condescension. This may 
be his habit, or it may proceed from the inter- 
est he has at present in conciliating our esteem 
and good will. May his courteous demean- 
our continue when we shall have accepted our 
commissions, and have come under his pow- 
er. He is very much disposed to conversa- 
tion. With a fund of materials to render it 
instructive and amusing, he makes a judicious 
selection of topics ; accordingly, to the young 
men. some of whom have just left college, he 
talks of literature, and recommends the study 
of the Spanish language and of mathematicks. 
Proficiency in these branches, he tells them P 
will ensure promotion in his army. The gen- 
tlemen more advanced in years are entertain- 
ed with his ideas on the subjects of politicks 
* and war. The general often cites a part of 
the history of his own life and travels, to ilius- 
trate the opinions which he seems anxious to 
inculcate. It is evident enough, that he aims 
&0 sow in the minds of his followers, the 



10 



seeds of heroical deeds ; of liberty, and revo- 
lution. I will not venture to predict what 
kind of a crop his efforts may produce, as I 
have scarcely any acquaintance with my fellow 
adventurers, 

12lh, 8 o'clock> A. M. At this moment, a 
cry from a man stationed at the mast head, an- 
nounces a sail in sight ; she is too far distant, 
however, to enable us to distinguish what 
kind of vessel ; I notice it creates considerable 
anxiety on board —particularly with the gene- 
ral. We shall probably know something more 
of this strange sail before long, as she is sail- 
ing nearly in a line with us, is somewhat to 
leeward, but if disposed, may speak us in two 
or three hours. 11 o'clock, A. M. the 
strange vessel turns out to be a large vessel in 
pursuit of us. 

Captain Lewis has shortened sail to let her 
come up. If she is French or Spanish, she 
will probably speak to us in harsh language, 
and we shall be obliged to fight — God knows 
what our fate would be if captured ; for I be- 
lieve we must appear to them a suspicious 
set, who are on the high seas in a very ques- 
tionable shape. If she is English, perhaps 
44 all may be well. " I must conclude, as we 



II 



arc going to prepare for action. Our sea com- 
mander says, " if she is an enemy , we must 
overcome or perish.' 9 $ 

13 1 h. The affair is settled very much to our 
satisfaction ; but not without a thousand alter- 
nate hopes and fears. Within four hours af- 
ter my last, we expected to be now making the 
best of our way to Bermuda, under the lee of 
a British frigate. Yesterday, at half-past one 
o'clock in the afternoon, we were spoke by the 
ship seen in the morning ; she proved to be 
his Britannick Majesty's ship Cleopatra, of 
forty guns, commanded by capt. John Wight. 
The first lieutenant of the frigate came on board 
and examined our ship and crew. We were 
detained nearly twenty-four hours, and had 
nineteen rrien pressed— mostly Irish, with 
American protections. As a kind of return 
for the impressed sailors, we received twelve 
Americans, who had been taken out of Ameri- 
can vessels lately captured by the Cleopatra, 
to the list of which, the Leander was nigh be- 
ing added. Captain Lewis went on board with 
the ship's papers, which showed her to be the 
Leander, an American ship, bound to St, Do- 
mingo. These were on examination, declar- 
ed by captain Wight to be unsatisfactory. A 



12 



gentleman then by the name of Armstrong 
went on board with instructions from the gen- 
eral, and joined with Lewis in expostulating 
with the commander of the frigate, but with- 
out effect. At last the general himself was o- 
bliged to appear on board the Cleopatra. He 
stated certain particulars to captain Wight, and 
shewed him documents, which justified the 
English captain in allowing our ship to pro- 
ceed. This event has confirmed our impres- 
sions, respecting the nature and objects of this 
expedition. General Miranda, I think, must 
have effected the release of the Leander, by 
explaining a part, or the whole of his plan, 
relative to South America ; and by producing 
credentials from the British government, au- 
thorising, or at least protecting him in the un- 
dertaking. This idea is strengthened, by Mi- 
randa saying that captain Wight had promised 
to assist in the enterprise. The general re- 
mained on board the frigate all night, and re- 
turned this morning at eleven o'clock. I am 
extremely glad we were overtaken by this 
ship ; for the result tends to put us at ease 
about the consistency of our design with the 
laws of nations, and proves to the world that 
we are not a " band of desperate pirates, 5 J a 



13 



description given to us by some persons before 
we sailed from New- York, and propagated af- 
terwards, in whispers, through the ship. Be- 
sides, the expedition is now placed on a re- 
spectable footing by having, as we presume, 
the acknowledgment and countenance of Eng- 
land. We are all in high spirits and high 
hopes. The general now speaks more openly 
about the enterprise ; he expresses great anx- 
iety to begin his operations ; and complains of 
having been so long detained in a good wind, 
notwithstanding it has turned out so much to 
the advantage of his project, both on account 
of the promised assistance, and a certificate 
that he procured of captain Wight, to prevent 
future search or detention by other British 
cruisers which we may happen to meet. 



G 



14 



LETTER IIL 

Spanish schooner brought to. — Conjectures upon 
this unusal procedure, — Stratagem to deceive 
the master of the schooner. — Miranda ap- 
points his officers, — Their names and distri- 
bution into corps* — Uniforms^ &c. — ArrivQ 
at JacquemeL — Accident. 

February \5th, 1806. 
WE are now in the Mona passage, be- 
tween the islands of Porto Rico and St. Do- 
mingo. A circumstance occurred this morn- 
ing of a somewhat singular nature ; and to my 
view not very agreeable. About 10 o'clock 
we saw two strange sails^ a brig and a schoon- 
er ; in a short time after, the Leandei fired a 
shot at the latter, whether by the order of 
Miranda or at the instance of Lewis, I know 
not. The vessel being alarmed, altered her 
course and endeavoured to escape, upon which 
we discharged several shot \ and she was at 
last, obliged, for fear of being sunk, to heave 
to undci our lee. The captain was immedi- 
ately ordered on board w ith his papers ; and; 
upon examination the vessel proved to be a 
Spanish schooner, from St. Martins, loaded 
Yrun logwood and bound to St. Bartholomews. 



15 

After an hour's detention, she was permitted 
to proceed. Previous to the captain coming 
oil board, the general and Lewis had some 
private conversation, at the conclusion of 
which, the latter ordered all those of our crew 
who could speak French, to use no other lan- 
guage while this man was in the ship ; at the 
same time directing that no English should be 
spoken. This order was strictly obeyed, and 
the gang- way was instantly crowded with fif- 
teen or twenty sailors and servants, who be- 
gan talking in French. When the captain 
came over the side and found himself among 
Frenchmen, he brought his hand forcibly to 
his breast and exclaimed, " Vive L' Emper- 
eur ; but I cannot express the terror he mani- 
fested upon arriving on the quarter deck, and, 
finding himself in the midst of Englishmen 
and Americans. 

You may ask what right had the private 
ship Leander to bring to any vessel whatever 
at sea? Why did general Miranda permit, or 
order such a procedure ? Or was he ignorant 
of maritime customs and usages ? buppose this 
vessel had actually been engaged in a contra- 
band trade, could the Leander have captured, 
©r even detained her? Then by what right 



16 



was this schooner fired at, compelled to heave 
to, the captain ordered on board and his pa- 
pers examined? These questions, I confess I 
cannot answer to my own satisfaction ; and 
therefore probably not to yours,. The only apol- 
ogy which I can imagine is, that ourchief had 
it in view to gratify his curiosity, or obtain in- 
telligence which might be important ; 1 cannot 
suppose he had any idea of seizing the vessel 
and converting her to his own use ; or that if he 
had, our sea commander would have consented. 

Feb. \7th. Last Thursday Gen. Miranda 
assigned to his volunteers the several ranks 
which they were to hold in his army, in a Gen- 
eral Order, communicated to us, by the officer 
next in rank, (at present) to himself. In the 
copy of this order, which I shall give you in the 
margin, * you will notice some names with 
which you are acquainted, and a number of oth" 
ers, whose distinction is yet to be acquired. 

* " Leander, Feb. 1 4th. 1806, Latitude^* 
21 27- JV. Longitudt 64. 3. fV*** 5 

rt G. O " " Parole, America. Countersign, Liberty. " 

H The Commander in Chief has thought proper to make 
the following appointments of officers, in the Columbian 
Army, and different corps thereof, as hereafter mentioned 
to commence rank and pay from the first day of January 
1806. ? ' 



17 



There are several others who have as yet 
received no particular appointment, but who 
are on probation for something. Besides the 
twenty-six names just mentioned, there are 



h 

2. 



3. 

6. 
7. 

*#*f 8. 
7 9, 
10, 
11. 
12. 
13 
14 
15. 
16. 
17 
13 
19. 
20 
21. 
22. 



William Armstrong, Colon eL 

Thomas Lewis, doj, 
William Steuben Smith,"") 
Aid de Camp to the ! 
Commander in Chief ^ Ueut Colonel 
with the rank of 

Henry Sands, Major; 

Barent Roorbach, Captain. 

Thomas Billor>, do. 

David Heckle, do. 

Daniel R, During, do. 

James B. Gardner, do. 
Gustavus Adolphus Burgudd, do. 

Samuel C. Lowdon, do. 
William Hosacfc First Lieutenant; 

Charles Johnson, do, 

John Or ford, do. 

Paula Theodore George, do, 

Daniel D. Kemper, do. 

Miles L. Hall, do. 

John T. O. Sullivan, dc\ 

William Lowdon, do. 
E dward Yates ( Adjutant) Second Lieutenant, 

l*rancis Farcjuharson, do. 

Henry Newton, de* 

c2 



13 



two others in place, who are said not to be* 
long to the military catalogue. Mr. Jonathan 
Smith, supercargo of the ship, and Mr. Tho- 
mas Molini, secretary to his excellency the 
general. The first of these gentlemen is com- 
monly called Major, but I believe incorrectly, 
as he has not yet taken a Columbian commis- 
sion. What we now see and hear justifies 
the supposition of an expectation in his ex- 
cellency that a numerous and well organized 
army will spring from these roots. Those, 
who know nothing of the military profession, 
are to learn it as fast as possible, in order to 
be ready for training Spanish recruits, which 
we are told by the general, are waiting our ar- 
rival on the Main. With this employment 
and the study of the Spanish language, to 
make themselves understood by their new 
friends, ali will have enough to do. It is no 
time for play now ; though it is easy to see 
that some of them, even those of sedate years- 
think of nothing else, and the general has 



23. James Biggs, do. 

24. Thomas Gill, do. 

25. John Moore, dov 
2"S. David Burnett,. 



19 



seemed to encourage it. He supposes, perhaps, 
that in our situation, thought might fc 1 make thick 
our blood," and merriment will rob ourambigu- 
ous voyage of some u taste of tecliousness." 

We are stationed in the different corps of 
the Columbian Army, in the manner of the 
following recapitulation, which I also place in 
the margin for your inspection this form I 



* RECAPITULATION. 
Engineers. 

John Orford) First Lieutenant 

Artillery* 

Samuel Lowdon, Captain. 
William Hosack, First Lieutenant* 

William Lowdon, do. 
James Biggs, Second Lieutenant. 

Francis Farquh arson, dc* 

Corps of Artificers, 
David Heckle, Captain-. 

First Regiment Light Dragoons. 
Daniel R. Durning, Captaini 
Gustavus Adolphus Burgudd, do. 
Edward Yates, Cornet, 

First Regiment of Riflemen. 
William Armstrong, Colonel. 

„ Lieut. Colonel. 

» , Major. 

BareiV Roorbach, Captairr. 
Thomas Billopi dm 



20 



shall observe, when most convenient, with all 
documents, relating to our enterprise, which 
I may think you will be interested to see, or 
it may be proper to communicate. 

Colonel Armstrong is appointed quarter 
master general, with two assistants (lieutenants 
Biggs and Newton) until further orders, cap. 
tain Roorbach major of brigade, and captain 
Billop deputy pay master general. 

After the establishment of our rank, station, 
&c. we were informed what regimental uni- 
forms the commander in chief had adopted. 
They are adapted to a warm climate and may 
answer very well for a beginning, though be- 
tween you and me, the patterns, whether in- 

Charles Johnson, First Lieutenant. 

Miles L. Hail, do. 
Thomas Gill, do. 

First Regiment North American Infantry* 
Thomas Lewis, Colonel. 
Htary Sands, Major. 
James IV Gardner, Captain. 
Daniel Kemper, First Lieutenant. 

John T U. Sullivan, do. 
Henry Ntwton, Second Lieutenant. 

David Burnett, do. 
Joi n Moore, do. 
Br. Samuel Scofield, of \ T ew York, is appointed Surgepii 
to the Army, 



21 



tended for his excellency, the officers or pri- 
vates do not meet our ideas of either taste or 
elegance. The order pointing out our tini* 
forms is thus headed. I have transcribed the 
introduction, with a view of showing you to 
what importance the affair of regimentals is ex- 
alted by the sagacious author, to say nothing 
of the beauty of its composition. 

V G. O," " Parole, Warren. Countersign, 
Bunker's Hill. As the first step towards es- 
tablishing discipline in an army, is a fixed uni- 
form for each corps, from which no partial 
deviation is to be made, without the special 
permission of the commander in chief ; he has, 
for the present, fixed the following uniforms, 
for the different corps, with which he hopes 
the different officers will provide themselves, 
as soon as convenient. " Then comes a de- 
scription of our particular regimentals. The 
infantry dress in blue and yellow ; the artillery 
in blue and red ; the engineers and artificers 
in blue and black velvet ; the riflemen in green ; 
and the dragoons in yellow and blue ; but I 
should furnish you with an hour's reading, 
were I to attempt giving you a correct idea of 
all that variety of cut and fashion by which om 
Cprps are respectively designated* 



22 



We are now sailing along the south coast of 
St. Domingo, The land is very mountainous 
and affords many delightful views; though 
there is scarcely any cultivation on the part 
now in sight, in proportion to its extent. Jac- 
quemel is the place to which we are bound, 
and a day or two at farthest will bring us into 
port. Here I imagine many circumstances 
will occur worth relating ; if so, my journal 
shall take care of them. 

18th, meridian. The harbour of Jacquemel 
is now in sight, and we have a fine steady 
breeze. Major Smith and captain Lewis are 
preparing to set off for Port au Prince, on bu- 
siness relative to the expedition. They are 
going on shore in the boat before the ship an- 
chors, arid take guides and horses at Jacquemel 
to expedite their journey. On their way they 
will cross the Highest mountains of this island. 

Half past 1, P. M It is but a few minutes 
since we recovered from a most terrifying ac- 
cident. The jolly boat, by the carelessness of 
seme of the sailors, upset in towering down 
astern, the crew being in at the same time. 
They were struggling in the sea fifty minutes ; 
but were all fortunately saved by the spirited 
exertions of three seamen, who jumped ovet- 



23 



board to their assistance. In this work of hu- 
manity, captain Gardner set the example, by- 
first throwing himself into the water ; and he 
merits the highest praise for his feeling and his 
courage, to which two of the sailors owe their 
lives. 



LETTER IV. 

Difficulty of getting into port. — A quarrel, find 
its apprehended mischiefs. — Scene on the 
deck of the Leander* — Form of officers com- 
missions. — A sail seen. — Complaint of the 
effects of delay:— Return of Capt. Lewis. 

Jacquemel harbour , Feb. 20th, 1806. 

WE have arrived in port, but have had a 
troublesome time since my last. A pilot came 
on board in the evening of the 18th to conduct 
us to anchor, which he ordered to be cast too 
soon ; the consequence was, we lost it and 
sixty fathoms of cable, and were obliged to 
-stand out to sea again. 

I wish I had not to inform you of another 
disagreeable occurrence ; one, which I am sor- 
ry to say, does little credit to our chief, and 
may materially injure, if not ruin our enterprise. 



24 



A short time before captain Lewis left the ship 
for Jacquemel, a violent quarrel took place be- 
twcen him and colonel Armstrong, occasioned 
by the latter bavins: struck the steward of the 
former, for not keeping the table furniture, or 
something of this kind, in proper order. The 
quarter-master general undertook, on deck, to 
punish the steward with a hearty rope's end- 
ing. Lewis hearing the cries of his servant, 
came from below to inquire into the cause ; 
and perceiving what Armstrong was doing or- 
dered him to desist, which he did, but not 
without strenuously asserting his right to chas- 
tise any person in the ship, Lewis told him 
that he should exercise no such authority in a 
vessel where he commanded. Both exhibited 
great bitterness, and dealt each other in abun- 
dance of hard words. The general took the 
side of Armstrong ; and Lewis, who is a man 
not to be intimidated by sounding names, in- 
formed his excellency, that neither he nor his 
quarter-master general had any thing to do 
with the discipline of the ship, and that whilst 
he commanded the Leander, he should take 
care not to allow Miranda, nor any of his offi- 
cers, to assume authority, which of right, sole- 
1> existed in his hands. A great deal of inde- 



cent warmth was shewn on all sides, but in the 
highest degree by the general himself, who 
appeared, before the storm was over, more fit 
for bedlam than for the command of an army. 
An everlasting breach, I fear, is now made 
between him and the captain . Among other 
things said in the heat of their fury, Miranda 
insisted that the ship was his property, and 
that the captain was obliged to command her 
under his directions ; whilst Lewis more than 
intimated, that till she was paid for, he was to 
be consulted, and had a will in the business. 

It is painful, and even shocking, to discover 
that our chief is capable of so much passion, 
and upon such an occasion. It is not a little 
important to us, that he, who holds our for- 
tunes in his hands, and is to govern us, should 
be able to govern himself. The conduct I 
have related is equally against his dignity, and 
against his prudence, We depend on the sai- 
lors, who are bound to us by nothing but the 
ship's articles, who are nearly one hundred a d 
fifty, to join the army ; but this cannot be ef- 
fected without the co-operation and 'counte- 
nance of Lewis, All of them, except about 
twenty volunteers, collected from the butchers 

stalls in Bear market, to be dragoons, and ex- 
D 



change the clever for the broad sword, have 
sailed with him before, and are very much at- 
tached to him. When they find the authority, 
which, according to the usage of the sea, be- 
longs exclusively to the captain of the ship, 
assumed by Miranda and his officers, they will 
certainly consider themselves injured, and will 
side with the captain. If Lewis sets his face 
against their enlisting, they will not listen 
the proposal of serving on land and becoming 
musket men. Miranda has therefore every 
motive of interest, if no other, to keep on good 
terms with the ship master.. If this quarrel 
does not stop where it is we may as well relin- 
quish the expedition, for it cannot prosper un- 
der such dissensions. 

February 23d. The following is the scene 
now exhibited on the deck of our ship from 
sun rising to sun set : 

One side of the quarterdeck is occupied by 
a printing press, at vAhich several young men 
of that profession are busy in striking off the 
general's proclamations to the people of South 
America, and setting the types for printing our 
commissions. The other side is taken up 
with two groups of Mars' youngest sons, em- 
ployed with military books; some studying* 



27 



some reading, and others looking at the pic- 
tures, Hb excellency is at the head of one of 
these parties, philosophizing on various sub- 
jects, and passing from one to another with his 
peculiar volubility. At this moment he is 
painting the dangers of a military life. He 
ends every recital of hardships, by telling the 
young gentlemen how much honour results to 
those who bear them with fortitude. Not- 
withstanding this encouraging conclusion, the 
youngsters look rather aghast ! which he ob- 
serves in silence. 

When the old gentleman gets upon this to- 
pick, which he does almost daily, he never 
fails to inform his pupils of his own feats and 
sufferings when he was young and in the wars» 
His countenance, which is always extremely 
expressive at such times, gives evidence of 
the great pleasure he feels in dwelling on " dis- 
astrous chances 55 and " hair breadth 'scapes. 55 
I confess to you, I am sorry to find he loves 
dearly to talk of himself, and likes those best 
who appear most willing to hear him on this 
subject ; for I believe that vanity and egotism, 
which are qualities destitute of any recommen- 
dation whatever, are generally associated with 
©ther traits that have no claim to approbation. 



28 

1 must confess too, that he appears not a little 
tinctured with pedantry ; a pardonable fault in 
an academician, but not so respectable in a he- 
ro and statesman. 

Next is seen the armourer's bench, with all 
his apparatus for repairing oid muskets, point- 
less bayonets and rusty swords. This tinker 
has his hands full, as our arms are none of the 
best, and seem to have been already condemn- 
ed in some other service. Whoever purchased 
them for the expedition, was either no judge 
of arms, or he has been kinder to himself than 
his employer, 

A few feet from the place where I am now 
writing, is a noisy set of animals called volun- 
teers, going through the manual exercise un- 
der the direction of a drill sergeant, who looks 
as bold as a lion, and roars nearly as loud. I 
hope he may feel as fierce when we shall have 
something serious to do. In the vicinity of 
these fellows, the regimental tailor, and half a 
dozen of his cross legged disciples are placed, 
surrounded by the materials and implements 
of their trade. A little further are several car- 
penters, employed in making staves for the 
pikes, with which our cavalry is to be armed. 
Beyond this the sailors are seen working with 



29 

their ropes, tar blocks, Sec. and here my de- 
scription ends. 

On surveying these operations, the general 
looks mightily pleased, and says, " we shall 
soon be ready for the Main. 57 Every thing 
goes on merrily ; but we are not permitted to 
step on shore ; this is a great hardship to ma- 
ny ; for my part, I don't know the cause of 
the prohibition, nor do 1 care much when it is 
removed. 

February 25th, I give a copy of the com- 
missions intended for the officers of Mirandas* 
army. They were finished to-day. 

"Don Francisco de Miranda, 
"Commander in Chief of the Columbian Army. rr 

" By virtue of power and authority vested 

in me, I hereby constitute and appoint * y 

in the army of Columbia, under my command ; 
and all officers, his superiors and inferiors, 
non-commissioned officers, soldiers, and others, 
are hereby required to respect and obey him 
as such, agreeable to the articles of war. 

(Signed) " FRAS : i;E MIR \NDA. 
" Thomas Molin i, Sec^ry and, Reg* P.™. 

Several hundred of Miranda's proclamations 

are printed off. These manifestos, addressed 

to the people of South America, as you would 
b 2 



s© 



expect, declare his views and intentions with 
respect to their country. They paint in forci- 
ble language the hardships and multiplied in- 
juries, under which these people at present la- 
bor ; all of which he promises to remove ; and 
they also inform the inhabitants of every de- 
scription, how they are to regulate themselves, 
and what they are to do when their deliverers 
arrive. 

This document puts an end to the imagina- 
tions, which some of our company entertained, 
that we were destined to that part of the Span- 
ish dominions, which had made, or was about 
to make encroachments on Louisiana, or New- 
Orleans. It is also silent about the connexion 
of the government of the United States with 
our schemes, on which we have always relied, 
at least so far as to believe that we were not 
contravening the wishes, nor exposing our- 
selves to the displeasure of those, who are at 
the head of American affairs. But though this 
official paper claims no countenance from the 
President or executive of our country, the na- 
ture of Miranda's insinuations, and the circum- 
stances of our outfit, have always kept and do 
now keep us under the impression, that all is 
right on this quarter ; and that we have not put 



31 



ourselves out of the protection of the United 
States. 

Yesterday morning we saw a strange sail off 
the harbour, supposed by some to be a French 
privateer. I notice it creates great inquietude 
in the general's mind. The appearance of a 
French frigate would place us in a disagreeable 
situation for we could not possibly get out, if 
she were disposed to prevent it, and the Lean, 
der, with his excellency Don Francisco de Mi- 
randa, would be deemed an object to justify 
the attention and vigilance of the Monsieurs. 

There are yet no signs of the Cleopatra. I 
before observed that the general said he had 
received assurances of captain Wight's co- 
operation. Every vessel, that is descried in 
the offing, excites his fears or curiosity ; and 
he seldom feils to request somebody, first ask- 
ing if they have good sight, to take the spy 
glass and see if that vessel is the Cleopatra ; 
upon hearing an unfavourable report from the 
observer, he says, 4t well, never mind, should 
she not join us here, she will come to us on 
the Spanish Main." All this is calculated to 
make us imagine that the British interest them- 
selves in our success. Yet if this be the case, 
there seems to have been no plan for securing 



S2 



their aid ; and our hopes from them are direct- 
ed to a single ship accidentally spoken at sea. 
There is a report here that the United States 
aie fitting out two frigates to come in pursuit 
of us and conduct us back. We cannot trace 
this story to its origin, but deem it incredible 
and ridiculous. Captain Lewis and Major 
Smith have been gone to Port an Prince ten 
days (five longer than was expected, the dis- 
tance being about one day's journey) and not a 
line has been received from them. This de- 
lay is to be lamented. If the chances of our 
success depend on surprise, they must be di- 
minishing every moment. We did calculate 
on being in Caraccas before this. We wait 
the return of these gentlemen with anxiety on 
several accounts. I shall be uneasy till I see 
how Lewis and Miranda meet one another a- 
gain. It is to be hoped they have both im- 
proved the time of separation in bringing their 
minds to reason, and trying to forget their re- 
sentments. If they shall be cold and reserved* 
when they come together again, I shall expect 
the breach will be irreparable ; for I have often 
observed that when persons after a disagree- 
ment separate without an ecclaircisement satis- 
factory to both and appear distant and suspi- 



33 

clous at their first meeting, it is the commence- 
ment of a durable enmity* The captain b high 
spirited and unyielding ; and the general 1 am 
ptx uaded is a man of unruly temper, obstinate 
and determined* The judicious interposition 
of a third person, in such a case, will some* 
times be effectual, if this shall be necessary I 
hope Major R. who is qualified for the office 
will try his influence. We look for the return 
of this gentleman with solicitude on another 
account* The general professes to believe 
we shall be joined by the Emperor, a noble ship 
now at Port au Prince, under the command of 
capt Jacob Lewis (brother of the commander 
of our shp) who is a man of resource* It is 
supposed our messengers are detained at Port 
au Prince to attempt arrangements for this pur- 
pose* This ship will be a great acquisition, 
and indeed will be necessary, if much force is 
required for our undertaking, and no British 
vessel of war, as we apprehend is engaged. 

The Black Emperor's principal officer sta- 
tioned at this port has sent a letter on board to 
the commanding office 1 * of the Leander, de- 
manding the reason why our ship has not en- 
tered at the custom house. i he true reason, 
I suppose, is that it was* deemed unnecessary 



34 



to go through this form, we having no views 
of trade, and nothing on board, but what is in- 
tended for our own use. I do not know what 
answer this letter received ; but the guard is 
doubled ; and many unusual precautions arc 
to be observed. 

Monday, 3d March. Yesterday a letter ar- 
rived from capt. Lewis, announcing his inten- 
tion of returning this day. He has come ac- 
cordingly, but he brings no intelligence that is 
made publick, nor can we judge what is ttie 
result of his proceedings. 

The meeting between him and his excellen- 
cy, though not the most cordial, is more friend- 
ly than I expected, and I cannot but hope their 
contention will now die. The officers are t© 
be permitted to go on shore to-morrow, and 
some of the young men are half frantick with 
the idea. One half will be allowed to leave the 
ship at one time, and all will draw lots in the 
morning to determine who shall first be let 
out of prison. If i get a first turn, 1 shall ex- 
change it with some one more eager for the 
release than myself, that i may finish tetters to 
send by a vessel that will sail for the United 
States in two days. 



35 



LETTER V. 

Columbian colours displayed.— Schooner Bee 
chartered Report from Laguira — -Aspasia* 
— Disturbance in the Bee —Disappointment 
respecting the ship Emperor, — Schooner Bac- 
chus engaged, — -Supposed to bring a spy- 
Treatment of a Danish vessel. 

March I2th> 1806. 

THIS day the Columbian colours were dis- 
played on board for the first time. This En- 
sign is formed of the three primary colours 
which predominate in the rainbow. We made 
a iete on the occasion — -a gun was fired and 
toasts were drank to the auspices of a standard^ 
which is expected to wave to the triumph of 
freedom and humanity in a country long op- 
pressed. 

14?A. Our attention has for several days 
been attracted by the schooner mentioned be- 
fore. She is equipped as a privateer, and fre- 
quently sails backwards and forwards across v 
the harbour. She comes very often within 
gun shot and remains in sight for hours ; and 
is probably a French privateer or some vessel 
stationed here to watch our motions. Last 
night the guard was doubled again and orders 



m 

given to keep a strict look-out ; under the ap. 
prehension that she might send her boats in, 
to cut cut some vessels in port, which our gen« 
prali in the exercise of the right of the strong, 
est, if no other, will undoubtedly prevent, 
should it be attempted* 

The supercargo returned from Port an 
Prince to-day. He brings no news of interest, 
except tttat I understand a Philadelphia $choon» 
er, called the Bee, has been chartered to ae« 
Gompany the Leander, Having no guns, ^hc 
will not add to our force so much as to our 
comfort, by taking out some of our officers and 
men, who are greatly in one another** way in 
this small ship, 

I6th< An event has occurred, that excites 
& suspicion in my mind that we shall not ar« 
rive at the Main unlocked for, A schooner 
came in here yesterday, named the Bacchus, 
the master of which gave the following account, 
when fumed by the Leander, via. that he sailed 
from Philadelphia bound to Laguira, and on his 
arrival there he found the place blockaded* or 
heaid that ail the vessels in port were under 
embargo (I don't know which) and therefore he 
made the best of his way to St. Domingo* On 
what account this blockade or embargo wa& made 



37 



he professes not to know. This relation of the 
master, was and is represented to the company 
on board, who you may suppose are naturally 
inquisitive on the subject, as entitled to no 
confidence. The general and captain appeared 
peculiarly incredulous. But I observed it kept 
our chief and his confidential officers, for hours 
in secret conversation. 

It being my turn to go on shore, I was the 
more desirous to improve it, in the hope of 
getting some further intelligence at the coffee 
house or elsewhere ; for on board nothing is to 
be learned of any material circumstance, and 
our curiosity is discouraged as inconsistent 
with that confidence and secrecy which is ne- 
cessary to be maintained by the principals in 
the expedition. But 1 gained no satisfaction, 
not meeting with any of the officers or crew of 
the Bacchus. What information I received fa- 
voured the suspicion that the vessel, perhaps 
through the agency of the Spanish minister, 
left Philadelphia as a spy ; or at least that she 
came in that character from the Main to this 
place. Notwithstanding his apparent con- 
tempt of the master's story, I find that Miran- 
da proposes to take measures that no persons 
<m board her shall make such communications 

E 



38 



as may injure the expedition ; which steps he 
says are justified by the laws of nations, and 
very probably she will not be allowed to leave 
this before us* 

This merrning arrived here the Aspasia from 
Baltimore, mounting fourteen guns, command- 
ed by captain Bumberry. Soon after she came 
in sight, she hoibted two signals and fired two 
guns, and the privateer schooner, which has 
appeared so often, after apparently standing 
out to escape her, hove about and come with* 
in speaking distance. Our doubts w hether the 
ship was a friend or enemy, occasioned Lewis 
to prepare the Leander for defence ; and we 
remained at our quarters till we saw her tak> 
ing in sail and making ready to anchor. Cap- 
tain B confirms our suspicions respecting the 
schooner. 

March \8th. The Bee lies close under our 
stern ; last night between eight and nine 
o'clock, a voice from her called for assistance, 
and at the same time the noise seemed to indi- 
cate a mutiny or riot. Several of the Lean- 
der's principal officers, armed, hastened on 
board and soon produced silence, bringing four 
or five sailors away, w ho were put in irons 
during the night. It appears, however^ that 



the disturbance was nothing but the effect of 
the liquor drank to the honour of St. Patrick's 
day. But it seemed to erive the general as 
much alarm as if it had been a concerted mu- 
tiny. Two of our non-commissioned officers 
were yesterday turned into the ranks for inso- 
lence to their superiors. Miranda is growing 
more strict-, and not without necessity, in my 
opinion. Many of our people seem as if too 
well instructed in the right of self government, 
to be governed by the authority, or submit to 
the ordinary and indispensable restraints of 
military set vice. 

March 23d. After all our delay, we are not 
to be joined by the Emperor. A week ago 
intelligence was received, that she had put to 
sea with the intention of joining the Leander. 
A gentleman this morning from Port au Prince, 
gives information that she has returned into 
port. The reason is supposed to be, that the 
law of Congress, prohibiting intercourse with 
St. Domingo, and the news of which, had 
just come, induces captain Jacob Lewis to re- 
main, in order to close his business in the 
island. 

The schooner Bacchus is to be taken into 
our service, she is or will be purchased by a 



40 



captain Donahue, and chartered by Miranda. 
The officers and crew of this schooner have 
not been on board of her for some time* They 
must have been either persuaded or compelled 
to disappear. That she was from the first, re- 
garded with suspicion by the general, is cer- 
tain. The night after the arrival of the Bac- 
chus, a gentleman who arrived in her came on 
board our ship on the pretence of visiting an 
officer of his acquaintance, and while here, I 
know he learned a number of particulars re- 
specting our enterprise. He has not been seen 
since. It is said, I believe with truth, that 
Miranda considered him a spy and has obliged 
him to give security, that he will not leave 
this island until we are gone, and that he 
keeps himself close on board some vessel in 
port. 

The captain Donahue, of whom I have 
spoken, is a seaman by profession ; and was 
appointed a major in the Columbian army, on 
the 19th inst. and Jonathan Smith, esq. super- 
cargo, was the same day made a brevet ma* 
jor. 

This night three American vessels sailed, 
homeward bound. The Leander has been tak- 
ing upon herself airs, that 1 for one, cann©t 



41 



approve. But when there are no laws to be 
followed, it is well understood, that those who 
have the power, make laws for themselves. 
It being suspected that the Charleston packet, 
(one of the vessels just mentioned) had taken 
away two of our sailors, the second mate with 
a party of armed men was dispatched for them, 
and upon search found that no mail belonging 
to us was in the suspected vessel. On setting 
out to return, the mate ordered the muskets 
and pistols of his crew to be discharged to pre- 
vent injury in rowing back. The flashes were 
seen by us, the packet being about two miles 
distant, and it was supposed her captain had 
refused to submit to search and that the officer 
had used force to execute his orders. Upon 
this another boat with an armed crew went out 
under the command of the chief mate, and 
meeting the first boat on its way back, they 
went along side of a Danish schooner propos- 
ing to search her for our absent men. The 
master protested against it as a usurpation in 
such language as such conduct would rjatural- 
ly provoke, but without effect. He was not 
only obliged right or wrong to open his hatch- 
es, but received much personal insult and abuse 
e 2 



from our mates, besides getting the flat of one 
of their sabres severely laid over his back. 

They forced one sailor out of his bed and 
brought him to the Leander ; and endeavoured 
to justify their proceedings by saying that the 
captain of the vessel to which he formerly be- 
longed had given them permission to secure 
him whenever found ! Had Lewis been here, 
I think this would not have taken place. 

LETTER VI. 

Preparations for departure. — Declaration made 
and sworn to by the officers. — Comp ensation 
ef the officers. 

March 25 th y 1806. 

THE last three days have been particular- 
ly employed in preparations for sea ; and I pre- 
sume from the arrangements lately made, we 
shall not remain here much longer. We have 
accepted our commissions as officers in the 
Columbian army, and made the following en- 
gagements and oath of fidelity to the cause. 

& As law is the basis of discipline and reg- 
ularity in an army. We the subscribers, do 
agree t© aecept from general Don Francisco 



43 



de Miranda, the different commissions and 
ranks as specified therein) in the army of Co- 
lumbia, now raising, or to be raised by him, 
for the service of the free people of South A- 
merica, independent of Spain. And we do also 
hereby solemnly promise to be governed in all 
things agreeable to the articles of war of the 
United States of North America ; with such 
alterations in form only (as have been read and 
exhibited to us) so as to adapt them to the dif- 
ference of government under which we now 
are, or may be ; and until regularly discharged 
from the said army by him, or his successors, 
legally appointed by the supreme authority of 
that country after the service of at least two 
campaigns ; and we acknowledge to have tak- 
en the oath hereunto annexed, as prescribed by 
the third section of the articles of war. — viz 

44 I swear to be true and faithful to the free 
people of South America, independent of Spain, 
and to serve them honestly and faithfully against 
all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and 
to observe and obey the orders of the supreme 
government of that country legally appointed ; 
and the orders of the general and officers set 
over me by them* On board the Leander, 
Jacqnemel harbour, 2ith day of March, 1806. " 



44 



Major Sands feeling some scruples against 
subscribing to this oath, said that he wished 
to be " perfectly satisfied'' that by his engage- 
ment in this expedition, it should not be un- 
derstood that he did in any measure abjure his 
own country. Miranda observed that in order 
to put our minds at rest on this subject, the 
major or any other gentleman who chose might 
annex to his signature of the covenant and 
oath, 54 that they did not intend by taking it to 
cancel their allegiance to the United States." 
This declaration of Mirarda was requisite to 
the satisfaction of the officers generally, though 
one of the number chose to remark, U if your 
excellency permits every person to make his 
trifling objections, it will require a long time 
before this well understood business can be 
finished and what can be done on a sheet of 
paper will require volumes " It is not very 
obvious what could prompt this derision of the 
scruples of his associates, unless that being a 
lawyer, he thought the judge advocate gener- 
alcy of the free people of Columbia would be 
most likely to fall upon the greatest flatterer of 
the commander in chief. 

This question being settled on deck, the of- 
ficers were summoned into the cabin, where 



45 



col. Armstrong read and explained the articles 
of war of the United States ; and the altera- 
tions in form not in substance or spirit, which 
were to be made in them* 4 * Notice gentle- 
men," said the colonel, 64 the object of this 
change is to suit the wording of the articles to 
- the local names and situations of the country 
where they are to take effect ; thus for the ar- 
my of the United States, will be substituted 
the army of South America ; and for the Pre- 
sident, or Congress of the United States, will 
be used the Supreme Authority of the free 
people of South America, or something of this 
kind." The business being thus well under- 
stood, every officer, according to rank, took 
the oath and subscribed his name to the obli- 
gation. You may observe there are no condi- 
tions as to compensation made with us by Mi- 
randa, except that we shall have the benefit of 
the articles of w r ar of the United Staces. When 
we engaged at New York with his agents we 
were promised pay on the most liberal scale. 
The pay of a colonel was to be ten dollars per 
day, a major eight, a captain six, a lieutenant 
four, &c. In the general order assigning us 
our commissions, you must have noticed, w r e 



46 

were to commence rank and pay from the be- 
ginning of this year. 

Towards evening capt Lewis returned from 
Port au Prince and set about the last prepara- 
tions for our departure. 



LETTER VII. 

Deb artnre from JacquemeL — Change of men to 
the scnooners. — Officers engaged at this 
island, — A brawl. — A sail seen. 

Leander at sea, March 28th, 1806. 

At length is terminated our tedious stay at 

Jacquemei; and we go we trust "to some 

enterprise that hath a stomach in't," Our na- 
val force is the Leander, attended by two 
schooners, the Bee and Bacchus. The num- 
ber of us all does not exceed two hundred ; for 
we have not recruited our number at this isl- 
and, except with a few officers, and one man of 
colour for a pilot. The men want discipline 
and the officers experience ; this appears to 
you no doubt a miserable force. Miranda 
does not pretend to to turn his e} es from cur 
weakness, but professes to have other depend- 
ence. He has continually assured us that 



47 

there are good officers and good soldiers, with 
an abundance of even thing in readh ess for 
us, the moment we set our feet in South 
America, which, to use his own words, 
" ceases that instant to belong to the King of 
Spain, 5 ' The command of the Bacchus has 
been given to capt. Gardner, the Bee is in 
charge of her original master, whose iwrnf is 
Huddle. Trie former has proposed to mount 
several short carronades, but the general insists 
tRat there is little danger and as little occasion 
to arm, and has confined him to one gun. 
II we fall in with French or Spaniards of any 
force, 1 think our case will be desperate-— 
and the " question of the fight" will be our 
necks 

The Leander being extremely full, it was 
necessary to provide for a part of the troops in 
the schooners, For obvious reasons, those* 
to whom the proposition of going on board 
these unprotected vessels, objected, as far as 
consisted with military obedience. After con- 
siderable difficulty seven officers and several 
men including the printers were prevailed up- 
on or rather compelled to change their vessel. 
Neither of the schooners, 1 am informed, has 
a single regular paper to save her from being 



48 



captured by the cruisers or privateers, which 
every where infest these waters; all their de- 
pendence is keeping close to the Leander — if 
they separate, may Heaven's mercies be their 
protection, for they have no other. 

Several gentlemen joined us just before we 
left Jacquemel. You will find their names and 
ranks in the general order of vesterda\ # — The 
two first gentlemen on this list are spoken of 
in terms of high commendation, as being such 
characters as we greath need ; whose junction 
with us is sincerely welcomed, though I per- 
eeive their ranks are cmied, because they are 
considered as having superceded some old vol* 



* " Leander, off JacquemcU March 11th, 1806. 
" G. O. " Parolef Marctllus. Countersign Intrt pulity. 
u The Commander in Chief has been pleased to make 
the following appointments in the 

First Regiment of ( ^orth American) Infantry. 
George W. Kirkiand. Esq to be a Lieut. Coloneh 
Jeremiah Powell, V %<\ Major. 
James F. Ledhe, Gent. Captain. 
Charles Hevineton, Gent. First Lieutenant, 

Robert Clark, Gent. do. 
Abraham Judah, Gent. Surgeon in the Army* 

James Stedma% Quarter Master with the 

rank of 2d Lieutenant, 



49 



unteers of Jive weeks standing. Lieut, col. 
Kirkland has the reputation of being an intre- 
pid man, accustomed to service, possessing 
excellent talents, a liberal education, and con- 
siderable military knowledge. 

Mr. Powell, from what I am informed, is 
also no small acquisition. Though not so ex- 
tensively versed in the military art, he has all 
the requisite qualifications for becoming a good 
officer and is full of military ambition. He 
has been well educated and possesses abilities 
much beyond mediocrity, with the most ami- 
able manners. 

We had expectations that a Mr. Windsor, 
now at Port au Prince and the particular friend 
of these gentlemen, would have joined us ; his 
character would have ensured him a respectful 
welcome ; but his private affairs arrested his 
purpose. 

Of the quality and standing of the rest of 
our new associates I have heard nothing either 
good or bad. If they do any thing worth re- 
cording you shall hear it. 

We had not been under weigh but a little 
time before the demon of contention appeared 
again. The Bee a few hours ago run foul of 
our ship, stove the small boat astern into a 



thousand pieces ; carried away our taff-rail and 
lost her own jib-boom. Immediately col. A. 
with the speaking trumpet began to reprimand 
the master of the schooner, and ordered him at 
his peril never to. approach so near the Lean- 
der in future. Lewis instantly kindled at this 
interference of the quarter master general with 
his duty, and without any ceremony command- 
ed him not to repeat an action of the kind. 
High and insulting words passed on both sides; 
till Miranda thought it necessary to take part 
in the affray, and notu ithstanding his diposi- 
tion to support his nearest officer, in this in- 
stance he decided against him He schooled 
him ver) severely. Armstrong received these 
rebukes with great meekness, alleging that 
his anxiety for the common good prompt- 
ed his interference, but promising that he 
would not offend again ; the storm subsided, 
but grim looks are still seen in various direc- 
tions. I suppose the war of frowns and words 
av ill not cease, till that of bails commences, 
which though more dangerous is not half so 
disagreeable as these ttcrnal jarrings ol discor- 
dant tempers. These gentlemen catf never a- 
gree and our captain particularly appears t$ 



51 



have an invincible dislike to the quarter master 
general. 

March 3 1 st. I had scarcely finished the 
last paragraph, when a brig was discovered 
standing towards us ; of course we were clear- 
ed for action and ordered to our quarters ; but 
in half an hour, finding she had no mind to 
make acquaintance with us, we retired from 
quarters to bed in sound skins. The general 
is not. nor any of his followers, wholly free 
from the apprehension of meeting a French or 
Spanish vessel of more strength than we shall 
be glad to see ; though the English cruisers 
occasion the Dons and Monsieurs to be very 
scarce in these seas, and the danger of being 
met is not great. Should any of the latter and 
we come in each other's way, we shall have 
but one of two alternatives, to run as fast or 
fight as hard as we can ; and we might very 
possibly not succeed in either. The last is our 
chief resource, though our crew have more 
bravery than skill. In sailing, the dullest 
cruiser in tae West Indies would be an over 
match for the Learider, otherwise an excellent 
ship. 



52 



LETTER VIII. 

Another dispute. — Ship falls to the leeward. — 
Chases a vessel. — The Leander cannot use 
the American Ensign, 

April 1st, 1806. 
SURELY the pope and the holy fathers 
have not invoked Heaven against Miranda's 
expedition in vain. It is worse and worse. The 
contest now has been between Lewis and the 
general. Capt. Gardner of the Bacchus ad- 
dressed a line to col. Armstrong for some ar- 
ticles for the schooner ; and for an addition of 
hands, complaining that he had not men 
enough to work the vessel. Lewis thought 
(and very properly in my opinion) this note 
should have been addressed to him and that it 
belonged to him to give an answer. The gen- 
eral thought otherwise, and observed that 
Lewis had nothing to do but to obey his or- 
ders. Lewis' temper could not bear this, and 
he took his stand, He declared the Bacchus 
should have none of his men, as he wanted all 
for his own vessel ; and threatened that if he 
was overruled, he would resign. The alterca- 
tion grew more and more violent, till Lewi$ 
resolved instantly to leave the ship. He direct- 



53 



ed his servant to produce his baggage that he 
might go on board the Bacchus, which had 
been ordered by him to heave to for that pur- 
pose. The mates of our ship seeing things 
going such lengths, swore they would follow 
Lewis and had their trunks brought on deck 
to be put into the boat then along side. Mat- 
ters having proceeded thus far, col. Kirkland, 
who had prudently waited till Lewis' passion 
had a little calmed down, undertook the office 
of mediation — and by good management at 
length accomplished ihe restoration of peace, 
greatly to the satisfaction of every one. The 
Bacchus was supplied, except with the sailors, 
which were deemed unnecessary to her ; and 
we again made sail ; for during the dispute 
we had been laying to. It is a grievous thing 
that Miranda has not taken more pains to ce- 
ment his little band ; and not suffered the ill 
will and malice, which might have been check- 
ed at first, to take such deep root in the minds 
of some of his principal officers, as to threaten 
deadly effects. 

April 6th. Tell me, if you can, have all the 
demons of ill will and contradiction taken a 
stand against us, that we should fail in almost 
every thing which we set about ? At leaving 



54 



Jacquemel It was the general's intention to an- 
chor at Bonair, a small island near that part of 
the Spanish Main where it is supposed we are 
to land. After being ten days at sea, we have 
the mortification to find ourselves, through the 
ignorance of our pilot carried almost to the 
bottom of the Gulf of Venezuala. We are 
seventy miles dead to the leeward of Bonair, 
What with the trade winds and the current, 
which is common here, and may happen to set 
against us, and most likely does, at this very 
moment, we may be two weeks or twenty 
days in this Gulf. We chased a small vessel 
this morning supposing her to be Spanish ; 
but she gave us the slip by running into a ri- 
ver on the north side of the gulf ; however, 
had we caught her, we could have done no- 
thing, unless it had been under Columbian co- 
lours and then the capture would have been at 
our peril. It is not long, since the general 
said he did not intend to hoist his new flag 
on board the ship till it was first victoriously 
displayed in his native land ; and that he had 
no right to use the American Ensign. The 
latter observation convinces me of what I have 
long suspected, that he never had any official 
encouragement from our government, though, 



55 



as I have before remarked, lie has frequently 
insinuated that the president had given moie 
than a tacit sanction to his enterprise* 



LETTER IX. 

Arrival at Aruba. — Maneuver *ing the troops*—? 
Remarks. 

Leander at Aruba, April \ \th> 1806. 

WE have just anchored at this island, after 
a much quicker passage from the Gulf of Ve- 
nezuela than we had reason to expects We 
had trouble in anchoring through the violent 
wind and bad holding ground. We find two 
vessels here, a brig and schooner, armed smug- 
glers employed in the trade between the In- 
dian coast on the Main and Jamaica ; which 
at first fired at us, supposing we were Span- 
iards, till we made them understand we were 
friends. 

The general and several officers have taken 
quarters on shore, and I understood our troops 
are to be paraded and exercised here. Hav- 
ing performed this work and got a few supplies, 
which we need, we shall proceed immediately 
to the land of promise, 



56 



April 15th* Our troops have been constant- 
ly exercising under the direction and instruc- 
tion of col. Kirkland, who has brought them 
forward wonderfully for the short time he has 
had them in hand. He has a great spirit of 
command and seems already to have commu- 
nicated to these troops a good degree of mar- 
tial port and feeling. They were reviewed 
yesterday by the general ; he was highly pleas- 
ed with their progress and the method of 
training and discipline pursued by their com- 
manding officer. The envy that follows merit, 
in this as in any other service is one discou- 
ragement from being conspicuously useful, or 
earning distinction from the chief. His favour 
is expected to be a passport to fortune ; and 
to have much of it ib of course no recommenda- 
tion to the good will of those who are competi- 
tors for the same boon without the qualifica- 
tions necessary to obtain it by direct means. 
Hence it would not surprise you to know that 
there are those among us who rely for favour 
on flattery and intrigue, rather than on their 
own desert ; and of consequence look with an 
evil eve upon those, who are not obliged or 
inclined to pay the same price for influence. 
hi tins smaU society, as a sprightly author ob- 



57 



serves of a great one, that of the city of Lon- 
don, 44 there is a market for cunning" and I 
hope also 44 an emporium for honesty," but 
here as there 

" Honest men 

Are the soft easy cushions, on which knaves 

Repose and fatten." 

LETTER X. 

Departure from Aruba. — Events till the arriv- 
al on the coast — Singular order — A great 
dispute. — Resignation of Lewis. — The main 
land in sight. — Sailors enlisted as soldiers.— *- 
Ready to land* 

April 16th, 1806, 

WE embarked last evening and sailed 
this morning at day light, having in company 
an English schooner mounting six guns, com- 
manded by capt. Phillips, who, the general 
says, will afford his assistance. To this per- 
son he has given written orders, sealed, to be 
opened at a suitable time, a mark of confi- 
dence to a stranger which seems a little extra- 
ordinary. A man said to be a skilful pilot to 
the Main, was engaged in that capacity at Aru- 
ba. 



58 



Ylih. The following extraordinary com- 
mand was this day given out* 

G. O. Parole, Nelson. Countersign, 
Trafalgar. One subaltern with side arms, to 
mount every morning at 11 o'clock, whose 
duty it will be to remain on deck, where he is 
to notice and report immediately to the com- 
mander in chief any thing remarkable that 
may take place during the day. At day light 
in the morning he i^ to call upon lieut. col. 
Smith, his aid-de-camp, and report to him whe- 
ther any land or vessels are in sight, the situa- 
tion of the vessels which accompany the Lean- 
dcr ; and should any officer have any commu- 
nication of consequence to make during the 
time he may be asleep, he begs it may be im- 
mediately communicated to his aid de-camp, 
who has directions to call upon him, at all 
times when duty requires it." 

The original order made it the duty of the 
subaltern "to observe the courses and distan- 
ces or the ship throughout the twenty four 
hours ; the direction of the wind ; and to no- 
tice the working of the vessel," &c. This 
Lewis ridiculed and declared it should not be 
put in force, which led the general to direct it 
to be modified as above . I thought there 



5-9 



would be another clashing of jurisdictions and 
that we should see another battle. 

There is to be sure no more occasion for 
such an order as this, than there is to station a 
Catholic altar on the mast head ; and it will do 
as much good. With two or three exceptions, 
none of the subalterns know a single point of 
the compass, still less do they understand the 
management of a ship. It is the custom now, 
in consequence of this new regulation, to see 
one of our redoubtable subalterns approaching 
from the cabin equipped in full uniform, arm- 
ed with a long rusty dragoon sabre, w ith a roll 
of paper in one hand and a pencil in the other 
to minute down the occurrences of the day, 
amidst the pointed ridicule of Lewis and his 
mates ; and the stifled laughter of the whole 
ship's crew. Still, however, the quarter mas- 
ter general persists in requiring this unneces- 
sary and ludicrous duty. 

April 2\st^ 11 o'clock at night. An adverse 
star shcdt> its malignant influence over our ex- 
pedition ; or in plain language we have no 
principle of union. Mote rage, thunder and 
fury broke out this morning between the old 
disputants, Lewis and the general The very 
ship herself trembled at the uproar ; consterna- 



60 



tion, dread and dismay reigned in every coun- 
tenance within her sides. We are quiet at this 
moment; but Heaven only knows how long 
harmony or rather smothered vengeance is to 
hm e its duration. The general is possessed 
with an idea that the ship has not been manag- 
ed to the best advantage by Lewis and his offi- 
cers, since We last put to sea. He has several 
times expressed his doubts to persons most 
acquainted with seamanship on board ; who 
have, 1 believe, treated them generaih as ground- 
less. But whenever his excellency has per- 
suaded himself into an opinion, he is like a stream 
which will not roil back. Reasoning and facts 
are but vain breath. He has taken it into his. 
head that he is a sailor as well as a general and 
a philosopher ; and he seems to think that a 
ship may be forced to make head way in a 
calm, or beat to windward with the greatest fa- 
cility, against strong currents and light winds ; 
and because the Leander ridicules his new hy- 
pothesis in not doing either of these impossi- 
bilities, he has become impatient, ill tempered 
and abusive, scolding from morning till night 
at the poor navigators for what he calls their 
inattention, neglect and disaffection. In vain 
do they urge that the moon or trade winds im- 



61 



pel the waters to the westward ; his excellen- 
cy is in a hurry to sail in an opposite course 
and blames the captain and mates because we 
do not advance in that direction ; and because 
they do not understand the art of obliging the 
wind to blow fresh in a season of the year when 
calms are common and to be expected. 

Two days ago in the afternoon we were at 
no great distance from Curacoa and expected 
to reach Bonair in a short time ; however, that 
ill luck which seems always to be at our el- 
bow, brought on a stormy night and we were 
frequently obliged to shorten sail ; the ship was 
labouring twelve hours in a heavy sea, with a 
strong current setting against her. Under 
these circumstances nothing could be expected 
but that the ship would drift to leeward. The 
next morning this was found to have been the 
case ; in -consequence of which the general 
this day called a council of war to inquire into 
the affair. The pilot, whom we engaged at 
Aiuba, was examined, and the opinions of ma- 
jor Powell and major Donahue and others were 
taken ; and a report w 7 as made unfavourable to 
Lewis. I have no doubt that a majority of the 
council gave their sine ere opinions and gave 

them with delicacy and candour. 1 will answer 

G 



62 

for several of them that they are superior to 
malice against the captain ; and are incapable 
of seeking the general's favour by doing an in* 
jury to another. But in my apprehension their 
anxiety to reach the scene of operation and 
their uncomfortable situation in a crowded ship, 
disposing them to be impatient at any thing 
having the appearance of intentional neglect or 
delay, has warped their better judgment ; and 
made them censure where they should have ac- 
quitted. The only important fact in support 
of their sentence is that the third mate was 
asleep on Saturday night, when a heavy squall 
struck the ship and compelled her to bear 
away almost before the wind till the topsails 
could be clewed down and reefed : but during 
this time, she could not at the utmost have fal- 
len to leeward more than a league. The 
blame here belongs to the subordinate not to 
the principal officer ; and it would have been 
very right to punish, the offender severely* 
The current, heavy swell and the impossibili- 
ty of carrying sail with safety in bad weather 
on a ship whose rigging is bad enough for con- 
demnation are sufficient to account for our slow 
progress. An unprejudiced person, versed in 
navigating a vessel, would be satisfied, I think, 
that capt. Lewis has done his best. 



63 



As soon as our captain was informed what 
the general and council of war had been about 
in the cabin, he flew into a rage not far remov- 
ed from madness ; and poured out his senti- 
ments to Miranda in the most plain and une- 
quivocal terms, though I do not remember to 
have heard him make use of any ungentleman- 
ly expression. Miranda's temper not less vio- 
lent than the other's took fire, and for some mi- 
nutes it was a difficult matter to hear the sound 
of one's own voice. Col. Armstrong endea- • 
voured several times, and resorted to many ex- 
pedients, to produce a reconciliation ; but as 
happened before had the misfortune to involve 
himself still more deeply in the displeasure of 
both parties. In his resentment Lewis resign- 
ed his military commission ; and has ceased to 
be any longer a colonel in Miranda's service, 
with which he declares he is sincerely sorry he 
ever had any concern ; and that in future he 
will have nothing further to do with his excel- 
lency or his enterprise, more than to secure the 
interest of Mr. Ogden. 

What will be the final consequence of this 
affair, cannot be foreseen. If Lewis chooses 
to revenge himself, he can do it in a sovereign 
degree, by objecting to the sailors leaving the 



64 



'ship to become soldiers, when we reach the 
place of destination ; for not a man of them 
will stir without his consent. But I believe he 
w T ili not take such a step, however he may 
think himself injured. 

AprUmd, 9 o'clock, P. M. The Bee has had 
the misfortune to spring her main mast ; but it 
was repaired immediately by the carpenters of 
our ship. Had the weather been boisterous, it 
is likely we should have added the loss of this 
vessel to our other troubles. Major Donahue 
was sent on board the Bacchus this morning and 
ordered to hasten with all dispatch to the island 
of Bonair with a mission from the general relat- 
ing to the expedition. His object no doubt is to 
obtain intelligence, and particularly to see wheth^ 
er there are any vessels at that island, as his ex* 
cellency has said that he expected one or more 
British frigates or a vessel of less force there, 
which would attend him to the Spanish Main. 

Wednesday, April 23d 5 o'clock, P. M. We 
are now laying to, off the principal town of Bo- 
nair, waiting to be joined by the Bacchus. She 
is coming out, and we shall hear the news in 
the course of an hour. 

Six o'clock. The major h^s just this instant 
returned on board. There are no British vas- 



65 



sels iff this port ; and I believe he brings no 
important intelligence. 

April 24/A, 10 o'clock, A. M. Curacoa; Lit* 
tie Curacoa, Bonair and the main land are all in 
sight, the weather is charming— the wind just 
as it ought to be for our purpose ; and we are 
all animation, full of business and bustle, 
making ready to land among the Spaniards, 
whom we have so long promised to visit. We 
have shaped our course for Ocumara, and are 
standing towards our destined port under ea- 
sy sail. The English schooner which joined 
us at Aruba, finding that we did not proceed 
to the Main as soon as we expected, has left 
us. The general says that capt. Phillips had 
only consented to accompany him on condi- 
tion that we should make an attempt to land in 
eight days from our leaving Aruba. 

April 25th. I have before observed to you 
that the men are greatly attached to Lewis, and 
if required would obey no authority but his. 
Though they have submitted to be drilled as 
soldiers and have heretofore probably expect- 
ed to bear arms on shore, yet they were never 
absolutely engaged for that purpose. The 
principal officers thought it necessary, before 
coming to land, to propose to these men to en- 



66 



list ; but they declined, alleging that* they 
were not bound by anything but the ship's ar- 
ticles. The disputes that have arisen between 
Lewis and the general had created in their 
minds a suspicion and dislike of the latter ; and 
the many delays ahd disappointments we have 
experienced had depressed their spirits and 
made them indisposed or averse to enrolling 
themselves in Miranda's service, It seemed 
left to the officers to devise a method of over- 
coming this backwardness of the sailors and 
use their personal influence with them to con- 
cur, for Miranda could not or would not move 
first in the business though it was so indispen- 
sable and certainly would not take care of it- 
self. He had the folly, I may almost say ef- 
frontery to maintain that there was no occasion 
to consult the sailors and that they might be 
compelled to serve on shore ; which was say- 
ing that they might be compelled without the 
right or power to compel, or that the officers 
might first fight the sailors and with them, 
when subdued, fight the Spaniards ! Major 
Powell suggested the plan of making the offers 
contained in the following proclamation, which 
he drew up and which, after finding that the 
tars would not risque their necks and the loss 



67 



of their wages as seamen of the Leander for n<*- 
thing, the general condescended to sign. In 
the meantime capt. Lewis was consulted to 
know whether he would encourage the sailors 
to join the army, as it had been whispered 
that one of the mates had declared that not a 
man would leave the ship except Lewis com- 
manded the landing. In this affair however he 
acted with perfect fairness and good nature ; 
and not only gave a promise to use his influ- 
ence with the crew in favour of the proposals, 
but performed it with more zeal than from pre- 
vious events might have been expected. 




PROCLAMATION. 



i( General Miranda, commander in chief of 
the army of Columbia, wishing to encourage 
the services and zeal of those of the crew of the 
Leander, who volunteer for the land service, 
engages to give the following bounty and re- 
ward to every man who manifests spirit and 
promptitude in landing and forming himself 
under the standard of Columbia on shore. 

" 1st, Thirty dollars per month as pay from 
the day of enrolment. 

" 2d A bounty of fifty dollars per month to 
all those who at the close of the campaign shall 
receive from his commanding officer a certifi- 



68 



cate of his having distinguished himself in the 
service. 

" 3d. And the non-commissioned officers 
an additional pay and bounty in proportion. 

" 4th. And moreover desirous to provide for 
the continual prosperity and happiness of all 
those, who shall distinguish themselves ; to 
every man who wishes to return to his family, 
a gratuity proportioned to the fidelity and cou- 
rage he shall have testified. 5 ' 
On board the Leander, at sea,- 

the 25th of April, L806- 
(Signed) 

FRAN : DE MIRANDA. 

When this paper had been prepared in the 
cabin, it was handed to capt. Lewis on deck, 
who read and explained it to the crew ; howe- 
ver they still held back. The officer then, 
commanding the regiment in which they were 
to be placed, and in whose favour they were 
very much prepossessed, addressed them in 
language adapted to their capacities. He stat- 
ed the favourable chances and prospects of the 
service for which they w 7 ere required, and as- 
sured them that he would accept no compen- 
sation for his own services, until he first saw 
all the promises contained in the proclamation 



just read to them fulfilled. By this time they 
were generally prepared to accept the offers 
made to them. Their names were successively 
taken down ; many of them immediately sub* 
scribed to the oath of fidelity, and the rest follow- 
ed in the course of the day. Seventeen only in- 
cluding officers remained to manage the ship. 
This number, deducted from that of our crew 
and added to those before attached to the army, 
makes our efficient force consist of about one 
hundred and eighty three souls including per- 
sons of every description. 

Not much now remains to be done, before 
we shall be entirely prepared to attempt our 
long projected landing. 

Six miles from the shore of Ocumara, 6 

clock, P. M* The following order is just is-, 
sued. We are in high spirits ; we shall land 
this night and enter upon our new destinies. 

" G. O. The officers and soldiers of the 
Columbian army, are to hold themselves in rea- 
diness to land at a moment's warning, on the 
ship's arrival in port, which is expected to be 
this evening." 

By order of the Commander in Chief 
(Signed) B. ROORBACH, 

Major of Brigade, 



70 



LETTER XL 

The Leander attacked by two Spanish Guar da 
Costas- —The schooners Bee and Bacchus cap- 
tured.-* Rencounter with i hern. ---Lewis not to 
blame for the loss of the schooners — Names of 
the officers and men captured*— Discovery of 
the want of water. — Shape our course for the 
island of Bonair. — The officers entertain sus- 
picions of their chief — They have private 
consultations. — Conduct of the general in the 
action and subsequent council of war Und their 
determination. — Reflections, 

Leander, at sea^ May 6th, 1806. 

WE are ruined. We have been obliged 
to leave the Main without landing ; and what 
is infinitely worse, to leave a large part of our 
people and associates in the hands of the Span- 
iards. Our motions were watched by two 
Spanish guarda costas, who gave us battle and 
have succeeded in capturing our schooners 
with nearly sixty of our men and officers, and 
a large quantity of arms and ammunition* 
1 hus are we involved in disgrace and defeat, 
attended with the keenest aggravations. Well 
may the Spaniards triumph over us baffled and 



71 

confounded as we have been in the very out- 
set. Miserable infatuation that brought us 
here to prove our improvidence and weakness. 
God have mercy on our captured friends, be- 
guiled by misplaced confidence to their ruin, 
destined probably to drag out a wretched ex- 
istence in slavery, or meet an ignominious 
death, 

I could not write before ; this dreadful af- 
fair has kept me silent ; I will now endeavour 
to give you a relation of our misfortune. 

At six o'clock in the morning, on the 27th 
of last month, we saw two strange vessels 
standing along the land. The general thought 
proper to give them chace ; as soon as they 
discovered us making after them, they crowd- 
ed sail and run for the shore. At ten o'clock. 
A. M. we gave over the chace, hauled close to 
the wind and stood off from the land ; at this 
time we were about twenty miles distant from 
Porto Cabell o. Regardless of those two ves- 
sels, which were a brig and schooner, we began 
at meridian to make the necessary preparations 
for landing at night. The Bee and Bacchus 
were both laying to, with their boats out, for 
the purpose of conveying the troops, arms, &c. 
on board. These small vessels, on account 



72 

of their little draught, of water, were to be em- 
ployed to land the detachment. While we were 
thus busied, the two vessels before mentioned, 
and which we found to be guarda costas, about 
two leagues and a half distant, w T ere seen, en- 
deavouring apparently to get up with us ; this 
was at three o'clock in the afternoon. Our 
boat, which had been carrying arms to the 
schooners, w T as instantly hoisted in ; the other 
boats ordered back to their respective vessels, 
and the ship cleared for action. Though some 
doubts had been started, it was the general o- 
pinion that these vessels were Spaniards ; and 
that they could if disposed get w ithin gun shot 
of us, in the course of the night. But the gen. 
cral continued in the resolution of effecting an 
immediate landing if possible. To this end, 
after sun set, we stood in for the place at which 
the debarkation was to have been made, at no 
greatdistance from Porto Cabello ; but ourde- 
sign was frustrated by the pilot. He mistook 
the intended spot, owing to the darkness of the 
night, and the similitude of the mountains and 
land marks along the coast. At the discovery 
of this mistake major Powell and major Don- 
ahue went on board of the Bacchus, in order 
to reconnoitre the shore, and to find the place 



73 



proposed for landing the troops. Whether 
they were ordered on this duty by the general, 
or volunteered their services I know not ; but 
certain it is, that the affair terminated very dif- 
ferently from our expectations. It was sup- 
posed that they could soon find the spot, or 
discover the pursuit to be vain ; and that they 
would not be more than an hour or two absent. 
At the expiration of this time signals of recal 
were made, and frequently repeated through 
the nigbt; but, unfortunately, they were eith- 
er not seen or not attended to. 

About midnight the Spaniards were again 
seen ; and signals were perceived passing be- 
tween them and the fort of Porto Cabello. Our 
crew were kept at quarters all night and ready 
for action in the morning. Before sunrise our 
enemies hoisted Spanish colours ;—w r e hoisted 
none — however, the American jack was flying 
as a signal for the two achooners to keep elose 
to the Leander. At a quarter past 8, A. M. 
one of the Spaniards (the brig opened a fire 
upon the Bacchus, then close in shore under a 
heavy press of sail, which soon afterwards she 
took in, and anchored. This was a matter of 
surprise to every body — but particularly to 

H 



74 



Lewis, who could not imagine the meaning of 
so strange conduct at such a time. 

At 11, A. M. the sea breeze favouring us, 
we bore down on the enemy and commenced 
firing from our starboard guns. Both vessels 
instantly opened upon us ; but we were two 
far apart, either to receive or do any material 
damage. The action, or rather skirmish last- 
ed only thirty four minutes. Our men were 
spirited, and gave three cheers, on being told 
by Lewis that the general would give them the 
enemy's vessels, if they acted like brave fel- 
lows ; meaning that none of the officers should 
share in the prize money. We sustained but 
little injury from the fire of the guarda costas. 
The enemy endeavoured to avoid close action ; 
had they shortened sail to let us come up, it 
was capt. Lewis' intention to board the mo- 
ment a chance offered ; but neither of them 
would show an opportunity. This induced 
him to stand off from them, with the appear- 
ance of running, supposing that they would 
follow us, and as they would probably have 
separated in the chase, it would have given us 
the advantage of engaging singly ; but they 
perceived our design, and instead of pursuing 
ns, they made lor our schooners, then at to9 



15 

great a distance, as they had borne away to es- 
cape, to be protected by the Leander ; and we 
were doomed to the inexpressible anguish of 
seeing our friends fall captive into the hands of 
enemies, from whom they could hope for no 
mercy ; and ourselves, though ready to en- 
counter every risk, deprived of all power to 
afford them relief or attempt their rescue. 

Perplexity and distress ensued in our ship* 
What shall be done was the question ? — 
" What say you captain ?— what say you gen- 
eral?"— various persons were consulted, and it 
was soon determined, to stand off. and I be- 
Heve for good reasons ; if it was any object to 
save ourselves. No doubt this conduct will 
be pronounced cowardly ; but hardiness is not 
courage. Had we pursued the Spanish ves- 
sels, sailing much faster than we, they would 
undoubtedly have run into port^ where we could 
not follow 7 them without being cut to pieces 
by the guns of the fort. If it was proper for 
us to engage them, double in force to us as 
they w 7 ere, still we could not do it without 
their consent, and this they had evinced, by 
their making off that they would not give. 
They were content with capturing our schoon- 
ers, on board of which, they had seen many of 



T6 



eur men and arms carried, susposing, that m 
accomplishing this, they would entirely frus- 
trate our design, without risking an encountep 
with the Leander. The misfortune is to be 
ascribed to the commanders of the schooners 
not observing or not obeying the signals made 
for their government. They were ordered to 
stay by the Leander ; had they done so, she 
would have been victorious or would have 
shared their fate, whatever it might have been. 

As the landing did not take place, it is im- 
possible to say, what would have been the re- 
suit, judging from all circumstances, I appre- 
hend it would have been disastrous. The 
plan of our operations as explained tome, was 
that a detachment of a hundred men or more, 
under majors Roorbach and Powell should first 
go on shore ; and the general and remainder 
of the force should stay on board, till the fate 
of the first party should be known. The pre- 
cise place fixed upon for landing was not point- 
ed out to any but the commanders ; but it 
was said to be one side of a fort near Porto 
Cabello ; which our troops were to attempt to 
take on the land side, if found vulnerable there ; 
but if this would not do, they were to leave 
the fortress and make for the interior, in ex- 



77 



pectation of being joined by the inhabitants, 
or reaching the patriots, always declared by 
the general to be embodied under Don Pedro 
Minto You have below* a list of the names 
of the officers and men captured in the schoon- 
ers, and probably you may know some of 
these unfortunate victims of this ill-fated ex- 



* Officers. 
Majors Powell, 

Donahue, 
Capt's. Darning, 
Billopp 
Mr. Lippencott, 
Lieut's. Farquharoon, 
Moore, 
Sullivan, 
Mr. Negus, 
Lieut's. Shannon, 
Hall, 
Privates. 
Benjamin Nicholson, 
Robert Rams, 
John Hays, 
George Furguson, 
William Long, 
F. Riggers, 
Elisha King, 
Samuel rice, 
John Burk, 

a 2 



Officers. 
Capt's. Gardner, 
Burgudd, 
Heckle, 
Huddle, 
Lieut's. John son) 
Ferris, 
Kemper, 
George, 
Ingersoii, 
Gill, 

Saunders , 
Privates. 
William Burnside, 
John Pompey, 
William Pride, 
James Grant, 
Thomas Budingharn, 
Robert Stephens, 
John Scott, 
David S lien ton, 
Alexander Bucchannan, 



78 

pedition. There were about seven privates- 
whose names I do not know. A son of capt. 
Heckle twelve years of age was in the same 
vessel with his father* Huddle, Lippencott 
and Negus belonged to the Bee, captain, su- 
percargo, and mate. 

The thought of these men, in spite of at- 
tempts to appear at ease, lies heavy on my spir- 
its. I revolve the fate of major Powell parti- 
cularly with grief. He was one of the most 
amiable of men ; by heart, mind and manners, 
qualified to be loved and esteemed. Amidst 
all the scandal and ill will among us, I never 
heard a mouth open against him. What sad 
intelligence awaits his friends and relatives at 
home ? There is no peril which we would not 
encounter to rescue our comrades ; but what 
can we do ? 

The day after the encounter (i\pril 29th,) it 
appeared that we were exposed to a new and 



F. W. Raymond, Matthew Bucchannan, 

Joseph Bennet, Benjamin Davis, 

Daniel McKey 5 John Parsells, 

M. Smith, Stephen Burtis, 

Henry S perry, Peter Naulty, 
J'ohn EdselT. 



79 



unexpected evil. There was but a single cask 
of water on board and we were reduced to an 
allowance of a pint per man.* 

It was necessary to seek a port for a fresh 
supply, and we steered for Bonair ; where 
having a good wind, we fortunately arrived 
that very night, or we should soon have found 
ourselves escaped from the sword to perish by 
thirst. 

Having remained at Bonair a short time, to, 
get a few necessaries, we set sail, and have been 
at sea since the first of this month, aiming for 
the island of Trinidad. 

Whilst we lay at Bonair the officers had 
much private consultation with one another 
concerning what could or should be done. Al- 
most every individual seemed impressed with 
an idea that our leader had deceived us, as well 
as himself ; I have no doubt but some thought 
of refusing submission and putting themselves 
and the ship under some other command ; but 
the hazards of the attempt appeared too serious. 
We could not but feel disgusted and incensed 
that Miranda should lead us headlong into dan* 



* It was not till the time of the action that we discover^ 
«l our water was se nearly exhausted* 



30 



ger and destruction which he ought to have 
foreseen or known. There could be no doubt 
in his mind, before we left St. Domingo, that 
the Spaniards were apprized of our design ; 
and were prepared to give us a warm reception. 
He w T as disappointed in not having the Empe- 
ror. If she was necessary, why did he not give 
up his plan and make some definitive arrange, 
ments for that British assistance, which he said 
he could have, and indeed, which he always pro- 
fessed, insincerely, I now believe, to expect* 

During our skirmish the general behaved 
with great coolness ; and when entreated by 
his officers to go below, as on his life every 
thing depended, derided their fears, and kept 
his place on deck. After our discomfiture and 
retreat he was in great turmoil. — Sometimes 
absorbed, sometimes venting himself in bursts 
of execration against the captain of the Empe- 
ror — in complaint at the English for noc com- 
ing to our help, and sometimes dejected. But 
he seemed inclined to see us as little as possi- 
ble ; and did not try to explain or vindicate 
his conduct, or enable us to understand why 
his schemes had been thus blasted in the bud. 
It gave him evident uneasiness and displeasure, 
when any of us intimated a wish to hear a platir- 



81 



sible account of our disaster. He has no\V re- 
sumed a collected and decided manner ; and 
speaks as though the design was still perfect- 
ly practicable and the resources for it abun- 
dant ; but it had received the late check from 
a casualty not to be expected again. To show 
his confident manner which came to him on 2 
sudden, speaking of one of his field officers, 
he says, "I hope in two months to see him at 
the head of ten thousand men," This undis- 
couraged air of the general serves to keep alive 
the hopes of the reflecting part of our iittlp 
band, that he has means to effect his object; 

Two days after we sailed from Bonair, th^ 
general, who had still an idea of landing on the 
Main, without being reinforced, called acoun* 
cil of war, at which were present all the offi- 
cers in his service. When they were convened, 
he proposed two plans for their consideration* v 

The first was to proceed to Trinidad for the 
purpose of obtaining military and naval suc> 
cours ; which he stated would certainly be fur* 
nished by the British to facilitate his enter- 
prise ; and also, to procure further informa- 
tion respecting South America. 

The second proposition was to attempt an 
immediate landing at Core, 



82 



The council unanimously agreed that we 
should proceed on our course to Trinidad, 
Where, from the information of the general, 
they supposed that we should certainly obtain 
all the assistance necessary to effect the grand 
object on which the greater part are bent. The 
plan of going to Coro was rejected, because it 
appeared probable to the council that we should 
again be attacked by the guarda costas, which 
it seemed likely would repair to the gulf of Co- 
ro, under the supposition that we would attempt 
a landing at that place. Besides, we are so 
weakened by our loss, that without a reinforce- 
ment we cannot attempt any thing with the 
slightest prospect of success. 

Until we reach our destined port, we must 
patiently bear a number of privations and in- 
conveniences. We have no great supply of 
water, nor is that little good ; we are allowan- 
ced at three pints per day each man, which at 
this rate will last about twenty days. Our 
bread, pork and beef are scarce, and by no 
means the best. r l hus situated, you must see, 
that we have but a gloomy prospect in view, 
when you add that we have to beat against 
head winds and contrary currents every mile 
of the distance to Trinidad. 



83 



LETTER XII. 

Undignified conduct of his excellency to one of 
his officers, &€? 

May 9th, 1806. 
IT belongs to my story to relate an in- 
stance of the general's violence, that made mp 
blush for the honour of grey hairs, learning 
and experience. It happened on the quarter 
deck in the presence of all the officers and the 
whole ship's crew at Bonair, two or three days 
after our misfortune. Stung as he is with dis- 
appointment, he might plead Orlando's excuse 
for something uncourteous j 

u The thorny point 

M Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the shew 
u Of smooth civility." 

But what I am going to relate was outrageous 
passion. 

One of the engineer officers, having got in- 
to some embarrassment on shore, through 
want of money, on his return to the ship, was 
mentioning the circumstance to one of his com- 
panions loud enough to be heard by the general 
who was sitting near, and probably ruminating 



84 

pn his disaster. In the course of the con vers? 
lion this officer had the imprudence to utter some, 
thing about, 44 month's pay," 44 can't serve for 
nothing ;" with other treasonable expressions: 
upon which Miranda ordered him to be silent; 
and not being instantly obeyed, seized him by 
the throat and threw him oft' the ship's gunnel, 
where he had been sitting, on one of the guns, 
and after repeated twirls, shakes and twists, 
dashed him slap on the deck. The engineer, 
when a Utile recovered from his fright, opened 
his mouth to this effect ; " you don't mean to 
strike me again, I hope general," 44 strike you 
again," quoth the general, " yes by G — d Pli 
exterminate you; where is your respect for your 
general." " 1 have always respected you ancj 
done my duty, sir," answered the trembling 
officer. 44 You have not," replied the chief, 
" so silence this moment sir." " lam not to 
be treated in this manner general ; to avoid it, 
I will thank you for my discharge and I'll go on 
shore at this island." 44 birrah" exclaimed Mi- 
randa in a rage, 64 you shall be dismissed when 
I think proper, and not when you pflease, you 
are at my disposal, and 1 shall retain, or send 
you away, as it best suits my purpose." u But 
I have a right to leave your service," urged the 



85 

engineer, u hold your tongue sir, you have n® 
rights here but obedience," retorted his excel- 
lency. The officer, however, insisted on his 
right to leave a service, in which he was ill- 
treated and not paid ; at which the general 
could no longer restrain his passsion ; and this 
shameful and ridiculous affair concluded by ^ 
severe rub of his knuckles over the ridge of 
the engineer's nose, not a little to the annoy- 
ance of his under lip and chin. 

Though I felt the utmost indignation at the 
sight of this outrage, yet it had so much of the 
ludicrous, that 1 could not help laughing. Im- 
agine a short, plump, toad-fashioned man (for 
such was the lieut. of engineers) tumbled head 
over heels, and vice versa and making as many 
grimaces, expressive of fear and anger as a 
baboon thrown into the air, and you will admit, 
if he was not exposed to be seriously hurt, 
there was so much more of the comic than 
tragical in the exhibition, as to provoke our 
risibles. But neither I nor any other, could 
suppress a feeling of disgust and abhorrence 
at the want of self-command and of dignity in 
the commander in chief. He had cause un- 
doubtedly to resent the language of the engi- 
neer, who was a little excited with liquor ; yet 
i 



86 



the proper course would have been to put him 
under arrest for trial. What security has any 
of us under the command of a man who can 
be carried away by brutal fury ? God grant, 
we may not find ourselves at the mercy of a 
tyrant. If this be a specimen of his administra- 
tion among the free people of Columbia, I 
think we shall have rights on paper and wrongs 
in fact. 



LETTER XIII. 

Off Margaritta, — Leander endeavours to avoid 
every strange sail. — Crew on short allowance* 
—Hardships. — Religious service on board 
and Miranda' } s conduct respecting it. 

Leander. at sea, May l&th, 1806. 

WE begin seriously to feel the want of 
Water and provisions, and we are obliged to 
use the strictest economy in the expenditure 
of both ; so much so, that we commonly go to 
bed parched with thirst, and gnawed by hun- 
ger. The island of Margaritta is now in sight y 
but the current is setting so strong against us, 
and the wind so unfavourable, that we shall 



87 

not be able to get up with it for some time^ 
most probably, not until we are reduced to 
four ounces of bread and a pint of water, if not 
less or even none. 

There is a ship in sight to leeward, that ap^. 
pears to be chasing us. According to custom, 
we are crowding sail to get out of her reach. 
There can be no question but that the general 
is much afraid of the ships of his countrymen 
and their allies. We may indeed expect the 
worst, in the event of capture. Yet I would 
rather contend with double our own force, es- 
pecially if the vessel w r ere Spanish, than to be 
forever running away. There is no merit in 
the choice of this alternative ; for we shall fa- 
mish on the high seas, if we continue to show 
our heels to every thing we see floating. We 
have lost more distance in trying to save our- 
selves fromvessels seen 15 miles to leeward, than 
we can gain in beating a month. The other day, 
(on the 7th I believe) we saw a strange sail a 
long way astern ; and in an hour afterwards 
perceived she was a ship. I heard the general 
consulting about the propriety of a scamper ; 
and he appealed to one of the officers, who had 
been accustomed to the sea, to know what he 
thought of the matter. " With due respect to 




88 



your excellency's opinion" said he, <£ we had 
better lay to, till the vessel comes up, and we 
may find her a friend ; most likely she is a 
British cruiser, for there are so many of them 
in these seas and they handle the French and 
Spaniards so roughly, that the latter seldom 
venture out. If she should turn out to be an 
enemy, we must fight or do the best we can." 
M Ah i" said the general- " And would you 
have us risk every thing — the life of our gen- 
eral — ourselves — the troops — and all, by such 
a rash step, 5 ' inquired a very prudent officer, 
present at the time ; to whom the other replied 
— " That he magnified the danger," and add- 
ed, " would you have us risk the starving of 
our general — ourselves — our troops — and fi- 
nally lose our ship by drifting on the Spanish 
Main ; which must be the case, if we make a 
practice of scudding to leeward every time we 
see a fishing boat or launch." Lewis hates 
running and gave a look of approbation to the 
last speaker. However, it was determined to 
get out of the way ; and the captain must obey 
when his excellency thinks proper to order a 
race ; accordingly, that night we run twenty 
miles to leeward, to get out of the track of a 



89 



ship, which in all probability was an English 
cruiser, or some inoffensive trader. 

May \5th. Our good ship is like a thief, 
who apprehends every person he sees may de- 
tect him. Had you been here, you would both 
have laughed and fretted with me, at the quan- 
dary our chief was in to day. The ship we 
saw yesterday pursued us several hours, fired 
three or four shot and hoisted several signals. 
All we did was to hoist the American ensign 
at the mast head and run as fast as possible. 
Lewis would have shortened sail to let the 
stranger come up - y but he was overruled by 
the general and his advisers ; however, he put 
off running till the last moment ; and to satisfy 
the prudence of all parties, towards eight o'clock 
in the evening, he threw overboard a decoying 
light, and altered the course of the ship. This 
decoying light is made of a large lanthorn 
lighted with wax candles, fixed perpendicular- 
ly upon a kind of triangle nailed to the upper 
edge of an half puncheon well ballasted ; and 
in that situation committed to the waves. 
Should this stratagem succeed in the present 
instance, the ship that was chasing us will be 
liable to find herself in the midst of the seven 
brothers, a cluster of rocks and small islands^ 



00 



now about twelve miles distant. Grant that we 
are not absolutely ruined by this running ; it 
will make our passage a very long one ; but 
we are now used to disappointments and hard- 
ships, and almost prepared for the worst. Add- 
ed to hunger and thirst, we are distressed by 
day with the heat of a vertical sun, and by 
continual calms, and the sight of land seen a 
week ago, from which we cannot move a mile ; 
and by night, tormented with flies, cockroaches 
and rats, of which the ship is full, I endea- 
vour sometimes to divert my sufferings by re- 
counting our plagues to you. I have an exam- 
ple of composure and application in the midst 
of vexations and uncertainties in col. K. who 
sits down calmly to his studies at 8 in the morn- 
ing and continues closely engaged till midnight 
or even later. The general also, at present, ex- 
hibits great patience and tranquillity. His tem- 
perate habits render privations of this kind less 
irksome to him than they are to most people. 

It is in courts and palaces, among those who 
are surfeited with the gifts of heaven, that God 
is denied or forgotten. From the lap of plen- 
teousness and pleasure the voice of murmur- 
ing arises. The toiling, suffering mariner ac- 
knowledges a supreme being. The pilgrim? 



91 



whoso feet are scorched with the burning sand 
of the desert, and whose head throbs under the 
fierce beams of a vertical sun, offers prayer and 
praise to the benevolent author of his existence; 
whilst the philosopher in his easy chair, and in 
the abundance of a luxurious capital, refuses 
his homage to his maker, or doubts the good- 
ness of his superintending providence. 

A desire to sustain our fortitude, or piety, 
quickened by distress, has led our captain late- 
ly to revive a custom which he has always ob- 
served in former voyages, of having prayers 
read to his ship's company on Sundays. This 
service is performed by a sedate young officer 
on board. The general does not appear to rel- 
ish this grave work. The moment the service 
begins, Miranda leaves the deck, and when it 
is ended, re-appears. Two or three officers 
have followed his example. Does he mean to 
have us understand that he has no religious 
faith ? Does he mean bv his actions to de- 
ride a disposition in his followers to worship 
the supreme being ? I have been told that to 
some people he has ridiculed these things, 
though he has never done it in my hearing. If, 
as a philosopher, he deems religion false, as a 
politician, he should allow it tQ be useful* 



92 



Perhaps he thinks we are too wicked or engag- 
ed in too doubtful a cause to have a right to 
pray ! or he may suppose a religious sense will 
not tend to fit us for his purposes. This part 
of his conduct strikes me unfavourably* 



LETTER XIV. 

Arrival at Grenada. — Refreshed, and sail for 
Barbadoes. 

Grenada, May 28//z, 1806. 
* On the 24th, at evening we saw two ves- 
sels, one a large ship, which we endeavoured 
to avoid by tacking ; but the next morning the 
same ship being found in chase of us, it was 
resolved to run no more. It was at length ad- 
mitted that we might as well die by sword as 
famine. When the ship had got nearly w ithin 
gun shot, we being to windward did not bear 
down, and she fired upon us, but without her 
shot reaching us. Lewis, being persuaded she 
was English, hove to and she came up. Seeing 
a French distinguishing vane at her mast head, 
we began to flutter. But on speaking us, she 
groved to be H. B. M.'s sloop of war Lily, 



93 



who had been for sometime searching for tfftf 
Leander. The commander, capt Campbell, 
came on board to pay his compliments to gen- 
eral Miranda, and, on returning to his vessel, 
sent us some most necessary and most wel- 
come supplies. It was determined that we 
should put into this island, where we arrived 
the next day. The general and suite disem- 
barked the moment the ship anchored ; and 
several officers are allowed to step on terra fir- 
ma and partake the comforts of the shore. You 
will conceive what a treat this must be aftef 
such a dreadful month as we have passed* 
From the hour we left Bonair, until we were 
spoken by the Lily, we experienced a contin- 
ued series of mortifications, apprehensions and 
disappointments. The weather was always 
exceedingly hot, with light winds or calms, a 
current commonly setting against us ; and per- 
petual tacking to get out of the way of strange 
sails, In addition to this, we were almost in 
despair for the want of provisions and water. In 
this situation it pleased heaven to send the Li- 
ly to our assistance, at the instant when we 
had broached our only remaining cask of wa- 
ter and last barrel of bread. 

The governor of this island, Maitland, has 



§4 

received our chief with great politeness and 
hospitality, and given him encouragement to 
expect important assistance from the British in 
a second attempt upon the Spanish Main. As 
an earnest he is answerable for our supplies. 
These circumstances a little revive the spirits 
of our volunteers ; who had become rather bick 
of their undertaking and disposed to abandon 
Miranda. 

Leander at sea, May 30th. Having procur> 
ed supplies, we sailed from Grenada for Bar- 
badoes. There we are told the general expects 
to revive his expedition and obtain funds. Se- 
veral officers, whose purses through emptiness 
have grievously collapsed, have applied for 
pay, and are informed that they shall be remem- 
bered at Barbadoes. — We are under convoy of 
the Lily— an officer of which, lieut Barclay^ 
has come on board to pilot us into Bridgetown. 



LETTER XV. 

At Bridgetown* — Leander libelled and released. 
Arrangements with Admiral Cochrane. — - 
Lewis resigns. — Vanity and philosophy of M. 

Bridgetown, Barbadoes, June 9th, 1806. 
We arrived here the 6th. The rumour 
among us is such as to make us suppose the 
expedition is to raise its head again. Admiral 
Cochrane, who is on this station with three 
ships of the line and several frigates, intends 
to further it by putting some of his smaller 
vessels under the orders of Miranda. No reg- 
ular troops and but few volunteers will be 
joined to it here ; but it is said they will be 
obtained at Trinidad. 

15^/2. it is reported that though admiral 
Cochrane is favourable, lord Seaforth, gover- 
nor of this island, and general Bowyer, com- 
mander in chief of the West India troops are 
not at all inclined to take up our enterprise* 
Twenty five or thirty volunteers have joined 
us here. In this number may be half a dozen 
gentlemen ; the rest 1 fear, must pass for vag- 
abonds, 

18th. Miranda has lately had another dif* 



96 . 

ference with Lewis. A few days ago, he pre- 
tended to have fears for the fidelity of the Le- 
ander's officers and crew ; suspecting them of 
a design to leave port clandestinely. To guard 
against this danger, an officer of the army and 
a lieutenant of the Lily were sent on board to 
e necessary measures of precaution. The 
sails of the Leander were unbent and stowed 
away — her lower yards and top gallant masts 
struck, and 13 sailors, shipped at New-York^ 
transferred to the Lily, till we should sail for 
Trinidad. At present this poor ship seems 
threatened with another more serious peril. 
Her innocence is brought into question, and she 
jis libelled in the custom house. She stands ac- 
cused of having been a long time engaged in an 
Illegitimate and contraband trade — meaning the 
St. Domingo trade ; and since she became the 
reputed property of Don Francisco de Miran- 
da, she is charged with mal practices, in carry, 
ingarms, ammunition, naval stores, and troops 
to the enemies of the king of England, 4fc under 
unacknowledged colours," thus setting a bad 
example to other private vessels. On these 
accounts the officers of the customs appear to 
think they ought to take her out of our pos- 



97 

session ; but whether she will be seized or not 
is uncertain. 

19th. By good luck or good management 
the general has rescued his ship from the dan- 
ger which hung over her. He has satisfied 
those concerned that he ought not to be con- 
sidered as giving aid to their enemies, though 
he professes to be the friend of the subjects of 
Spain. This is the second narrow escape of 
the kind, which the Leander has experienced. 
It seems to me that Miranda has not made ve- 
ry good arrangements, or he would not appear 
in so ambiguous a character to those on whom 
he relies for co- operation. 

Leander at sea^ June 2\st. Yesterday af- 
ternoon we weighed anchor, and sailed from 
Carlisle bay, in company with the Lily and H. 
B. M's. brig Express, and a merchant schoon- 
er called the Trimmer. 

Previous to leaving Barbadoes, a contract 
was entered into, between general Miranda, for 
the free people of South America, and admiral 
Cochrane as agent for his Britannick Majesty ; 
the basis of which stipulates, that admiral C. 
shall assist general M. with a certain number 
of vessels of war immediately, and that he shall 
hereafter forward such reinforcements as he 

K 



might have in his power to furnish, in case 
they should be wanted by Miranda ; and that 
in the event of our succeeding, Great Britain 
shall always be held by general M. and the go- 
vernment which he may establish, on the foot- 
ing of the most favoured nations ; that impor- 
tations in British- bottoms shall receive a de- 
duction of ten per cent, upon the duties paid 
by all other friendly nations, except the Unit- 
ed States of North America, 

This provisional agreement is to be sent to 
England for the approbation of his Majesty and 
council, and if they see fit and agree to it, the 
future operations of our expedition are to be 
carried on with the concurrence and counsel of 
the British cabinet. How this will be receiv- 
ed at the court of St. James, it is impossible 
for me to say ; it appears however, that no de- 
finitive arrangements had been settled between 
them and our commander before, as we had 
once imagined and hoped. In this contract, 
Miranda omitted to mention the United States, 
notwithstanding the warm affection which he 
professes for our country, until the impolicy of 
.excluding her from the mercantile advantages, 
which he might have the power to confer, was 
stated to him by one of his American officers* 



99 



Further disagreement taking place between 
Miranda and captain Lewis, the latter resigned 
the command of the Leander a day or two pre- 
ceding our departure from Carlisle bay. All 
the mates, the boatswain and gunner and near- 
iy forty of the crew left her at the same time, 
though not persuaded to do so, by their cap- 
tain. The ship- is now trusted to the manage- 
ment of a very inexperienced young man— 
whose only recommendation to such a place is 
his popularity with the remaining sailors. An 
officer, however, from the Lily is with us, to 
supply the want of our new commander's na- 
val knowledge. 

Leander , near Tobago, June 23d. As the 
cloud that hung over the expedition begins to 
"break away, and the fortunes of the chieftain 
become more promising, the expectations of 
his officers awake, and their solicitude about 
the possession of his favour appear. He makes 
a point of saying frequently that the chance of 
promotion in his service depends on merit. 
But he is not entirely singular among men, if 
he allows it a great merit to be disposed to 
please him on any terms and be willing to con- 
cur in his fondness of himself. Flattery and 
obsequiousness, with ail his philosophy can 



100 



procure a passage to his heart, 11 When I tell 
him he hates flatterers ; he says he does ; be- 
ing then the most flattered/' Some of the 
most shallow and least worthy of our company, * 
have purchased marks of the general's regard, 
by supplying the cordial of adulation, for which 
he has no measured thirst. " He that will ab- 
solutely confine his patron to hear only the 
commendations which he deserves, will soon 
be forced to give way to others that regale him 
with more compass of musick." On this ac- 
count I have less confidence in his promises, 
for promises at present are all he gives, or I 
suppose has to give. But when the time to re- 
member and perform shall come, and rival 
claims to place shall be set up, he may be ex- 
pected to decide in favour of those, who have 
soothed his vanity. At the same time he is a 
great moralist or moralizes Vice and mean- 
ness in every degree and shape are, according 
to his own declarations, entirely against his 
taste and judgment. If you take his word for 
it, he is a lover of virtue even to enthusiasm. 
He is always inveighing against dissimulation 
and injustice, and extolling sincerity and dis- 
interestedness —All the virtues are the themes 
©f his encomiums. To use his own language^ 



101 



he " abominates tyranny ; hates fools ; abhors 
flatterers ; detests pride ; and laments the dia- 
bolical corruptness of modern days. He loves 
freedom; admires candour; esteems wise 
men ; respects humility ; and delights in that 
noble and beautiful integrity and good faith 
which distinguished the golden times of anti- 
quity." He speaks with great freedom and as- 
perity of the faults of the different learned pro- 
fessions. According to him, " priests are hy- 
pocrites ; lawyers, sophisters ; and doctors, 
pretenders ; and virtue has fled this detestable 
world ; ho. would lay down a refined philoso- 
phy, which should have for its object the re- 
formation of abuses and finally, he 44 would 
renovate the perverted minds of mankind, re- 
store the ancient beatitude, when every excel- 
lence and virtue prevailed among men, for the 
happiness of the pre sent race, and the perpetu- 
al prosperity of future generations." Ail this 
is to be realized in South America. 

Miranda is no doubt sincere in these notions 
of perfectibility. Yet one would think the 
French experiment should make a wise man 
pause. This seems to be no other xhan the 
wild philosophy, which erected the reign of 

blood and tenor on the ruins of monarchy, and 
K 2 



102 



supplied the thirsty guillotine and more thirsty- 
sword with innocent victims. If such scenes 
are to be acted in South America, I shall have 
done with the revolutionizing philosopher. 
The engagements, by which we are bound to 
him, make it at present, next to impossible to 
get away ; and the cause has acquired so much 
appearance of respectability and such means of 
success by the junction of British force, that 
I resolve to continue, though I cannot say with- 
out some reluctance. 

LETTER XVI. 

At Trinidad. — Officers and men engaged there*. 
— General order. — Capt. Johnson, — Foolish 
handbill. — Departure. 

Port of Spain, Trinidad. July 14th, 1806. 

ON the 24th of last month we arrived at 
this island* The affairs of the expedition are 
in such train that it will undoubtedly proceed. 
It is to be assisted by English supplies and na* 
val force, though by no regular troops. The 
British authority here have perhaps not suffi- 
cient confidence in the plan to give it this aid; 



103 



and if they were disposed, could not do it with- 
out disobliging extremely the French and 
Spanish party here, which is numerous and in- 
fluential. The inhabitants, being chiefly of 
these nations, it is not easy to get men to en- 
list. Notwithstanding this, seventy or eighty 
volunteers have been recruited ; and during 
the week to come, which is to be spent here, 
this number may probably be doubled. Be- 
tween twenty and thirty persons have been 
added to the service as officers. A few of 
them are respectable men ; but the greater part 
are low and worthless characters ; such as I 
think Miranda's dear countrymen will not be 
likely to deem an acquisition. The principal 
and most respectable persons are William Gage 
Hall, with the rank of colonel of engineers ; 
count de Rouvray, colonel ; chevalier Loppen- 
ot, captain of horse ; James Adrien, interpre- 
ter and officer of engineers ; and two Spaniards 
ranking as colonels ; Trelawney de Belhay, 
chief deescadron, Phillip Nihil, 1st lieutenant, 
Alexander Bruce, do. Samuel W. Waleott, 
do. Charles Carrington, do. Isaac Robinson, 
do. Le Frecier Loppenot, aid de camp to the 
chief, Daniel Crone, 1st lieut. Dessein, do. — > 
Robert Uoscovv, do. Horace Hathaway 2nd 



104 

lieutenant of artificers—and Robert Mc Cui- 
lagh, do in the rifle corps. 

j uly Yith. The general order of this day con- 
taiiied the following gracious words ; 

' 4 Whilst the ommanddr in chief sees with 
regret the inconveniences the officers and sol- 
diers suffer by being so much longer confined 
on board ship, than could possibly have been 
expected, he begs leave to remind them that 
one of the first qualities of a soldier is to bear 
with patience the unavoidable deprivations to 
which a military life is subject ; and at the 
same time, assures them that he will always 
bear in mind what they have suffered, and as 
far as is in his power, study to relieve them." 

Though this condolent address was put in 
the orderly books, I suppose not ten of Miran- 
da's followers heard of it. As the first express- 
ion of his regard, since our misfortune, it de- 
serves to be noticed. Were it however known 
to all, it would not do much to reinstate him 
in the affections of his volunteers, especially 
those who left New- York with him. They 
think him a hard and unfeeling master, I do 
not remember that he has ever made a person- 
al address to them, even when in the most try- 
ing circumstances. He has appeared insensi- 



105 

ble to their sufferings, and careless of their 
wants. If he could not give them good fare, 
they would naturally expect good words ; or 
some attempt to soothe and encourage their 
disappointed and dejected minds. They know 
and feel that he has been false ; though all ot 
us, who reflect, are sensible that his sanguine 
temper has deceived him. We are just on the 
point of sailing for the land of promise ; yet 
many of us. 1 am persuaded, would be glad to 
wash our hands of this business. But we are 
among strangers without resources. We have 
engaged ourselves to Miranda for two cam- 
paigns, let what will happen ; — -we are not per- 
mitted to resign ; though really we are absolv- 
ed by his neglect to fulfil his part of the con- 
tract. 

The young man, who I sometime ago told 
you commanded the Leander. has been remov- 
ed ; and is succeeded by a captain Johnson^ 
who came to this island from Barbadoes on 
purpose to obtain the place he now holds. This 
man was exceedingly ambitious of his present 
situation. He expressed a willingness to haz- 
ard some of his cash to aid the enterprise, if it 
would procure him a command. By some 
means these glad tidings came to die general. 



106 

whose funds are quite low, and Johnson did not 
long wait for the appointment, to which he as- 
pired. 

July 2\st. With a view to induce people to 
join us, the general, or some one about him bus 
issued the following curious and foolish hand 
bill, which has been circulated through the 
town and stuck up in all publick places. It 
purports to be an address from Miranda to the 
Spanish people here. 
st Friends and countrymen, 

" The glorious opportunity now presents it- 
self, of relieving from oppression and arbitrary 
government, a people who are worthy of a bet- 
ter fate ; who ought to enjoy the blessing of 
the finest country in the universe, which boun- 
tiful providence has given them ; but who are 
shackled by a despotism too cruel for human 
nature longer to endure, Groaning under their 
present afflictions, they hail with extended arms 
the noble cause of freedom and independence, 
and call upon you to share with them in the 
god-like action of relieving your distressed fel- 
low creatures. Hasten then to join the stand- 
ard of one, who has the happiness to call him* 
sen your countryman, and is determined to 
j'escue his country, and to shed the last drop 



107 

of his blood in promoting its happiness : An 
object, of which he has never last sight for a 
moment of his life." , 

" There will be made a liberal distribution 
of land at the expiration of a twelve month, ac- 
cording to rank ; and privates, from the instant 
of enrolment, will be entitled to provision and 
clothing, w r ith a quarter dollar per day as pay s 
not subject to any deductions. 

" And you, brave volunteers of the island, 
who have nobly come forward to partake with 
us our honours and to share with us our pros- 
perity, hasten to follow those officers, under 
whose care you have been already trained, and 
who are impatient to lead you on to victory 
and wealth. 

The gulf that Columbus first discovered and 
honoured with his presence, will now witness 
the illustrious actions of your gallant efforts." 

This thing excites nothing but ridicule, and 
the officers are disgusted with it. The general 
disowns the sublime production. There can 
be no doubt, I think, it was issued with his 
knowledge and sanction. He recollects, per- 
haps, that he has already promised the men m 
the service thirty dollars per month, which is 
i four times more than is now offered to new re- 



108 



emits, except the ; * distribution of land 55 after 
* 4 twelve months. 5> He reflects ai^o that it is 
110 proof of his caution, to point out the place 
of his intended landing in an island, where 
there is a constant communication with the 
Spanish Main. 

July 25t/i. At length we have weighed an- 
chor and bent our course for the land we are 
to deliver. We are in the gulf of Paria about 
fifteen miles from the port ol Spain, becalmed. 
With the first fair wind we shall run through 
the Bocas. The malediccions of many and the 
blessings of Jew attend us from Trinidad, where 
we were far from being popular j though indi- 
viduals of us experienced great hospitality and 
kindness from some of the inhabitants. The 
troops in general, are in full hopes of success. 
Miranda, says again, excepting the dangers of 
the sea, it is infallible. From the smallness of 
the force with which he proposes to enter the 
country, it is evident he must have great de- 
pendence on the readiness and the ability of the 
inhabitants to johi his standard. The number 
of our force, including the officers and sailors 
who will land from, the ships, does not ex- 
ceed four hundred. The squadron consists 
of the Leander, sixteen guns, Lily, twenty 



109 

four, Express, twelve, Attentive, fourteen, 
Provost, ten ; Bull-dog, Dispatch, Mastiff, gun 
boats of two and three guns ; Trimmer and 
Commodore Barry, unarmed merchantmen. 

The general with his suite) &c, sails in the 
Lily. He has taken another secretary* called 
private secretary, by name Fitzwilliani, who is 
said to be a man of talents and information. 

There are but few who know to what port 
we are destined, er I suppose will know till we 
are near it. I shall probably write no more till 
there is some crisis in our affairs. 

LETTER XVII. 

Landing on the main. — Result. 

Leander at sea, August 1806. 

E are again disappointed and confound- 
ed. The dream called an expedition has van- 
ished ; all our anxiety, trouble and enterprise 
have come to, nothing ; our big expectations 
&nd lofty hopes have fallen to the ground. We 
have visited the Spanish Main, had possession 
of La Vela de Coro, the city of Coro, and other 
places ; all of which we have just evacuated. 




110 



The Spaniards would have nothing to say to 
us, They had no thoughts of accepting" our 
proffer of liberty ; and we could not oblige 
them to take it. Miranda, so long the idol of 
his foolish followers, is not known by them. 
They wondered who he was ; and what brought 
him in such guise into their country. They 
viewed him as a marauder whom they were to 
flv from, or destroy, instead of a deliverer to be 
made welcome. There was no sign of any 
partisans of his in force or likely to be so ; and 
not a shadow of probability that any one of the 
leading officers of government civil or military 
had thought or would think of adopting his 
plans or joining his standard. Having left the 
country, we are going— I know not whither — 
but wherever the prince of visionary schemers 
chooses to say. You will imagine my disgust 
and mortification ; perhaps repentance. For I 
assure you, it is not without compunction that 
I reflect how we have terrified and harrassed 
the unoffending people of this region , as the event 
has proved, without sufficient pretence, and to 
no good purpose. I should pity our fanatical 
leader more than all, but he has an admirable 
constitution for bearing mortifications. His 
blunders do by no means put him out of coun- 




Ill 

tenance. I dare say he will soon talk of be- 
ginning again without any confusion of face. 
Indeed he has reason to believe he may go any 
length in amusing our expectations, consider- 
ing how fond of being deceived we have ap- 
peared. It is said we are going to the island of 
Aruba. Under the next date, you shall have the 
history of our reecent performances and mishaps. 



LETTER XVIII. 



At Aruba*— Events after leaving Trinidad. 
Army disembark. — Gain La Velade Coro. — 
March to Coro. — Disaster at that place.— 
Return, and evacuation of the Main. 

Aruba, August \5th, 1806,. 

WE anchored at this place yesterday ; and 
I now proceed to the relation of what has hap- 
pened from the time of leaving Trinidad. 

On the 23d and 24th of July, all the officers 
and men belonging to the Columbian army em- 
barked on board the vessels mentioned before. 
The Sunday following passing by the island of 
Margaritta — the people forsook the church, and 
manning the batteries of the place discharged - 



112 

several shot at our squadron without injury. 
We anchored and went ashore at the island of 
Coche where we remained one night. At day 
light on the 2d of August through a mistake of 
the pilot we anchored within nine miles of La 
Vela de Coro on the west side of the bay, in- 
stead of anchoring within reach of the batteries 
as was intended. 

Pursuant to the following general order* the 



• The right hand cypher in the following estimate of 
numbers was added to deceive the enemy, in case they 
should ever see the order. Our force is what remains 
when the cypher is cut oft, viz. 291. 

On board of the Lily August 1st, 1806. 

* G. 0. ? ' u As it is intended trut the army shall disem- 
bark in the course of this night/the following order is to 

be attended to : 

1st division under the command of col. Gompte de Rouv- 



ray, Hulans, 350 
Guides with captain Sanchez and Gayetada, 150 
Detachment of the royal navy under lieutenant Bed- 

dingnekl, 810 
Trinidad volunteers under colonel Downie, 320 
Spaniards and Indians in the gun-boats, 300 
2d division under the command of lieut. col. Kirkland, 
1st regiment of North American volunteers, 660 
Engineers under captain Allison, 100 
Artillery under captain Lowclon, 270 



IIS 

first division under the command of col. count 
de Rouvray, disembarked from the squadron 
in the boats, with a view to effect ,an immedi- 
ate landing ; but a gale of wind set in nearly 
as soon as all the necessary preparations were 
made ; and obliged the row boats and barges 
to be taken in tow bv the mm boats, in which 
situation they remained the whole day, unable 



a Captain Campbell of his majesty's ship Lily wili give 
the necessary orders for the distribution of the boats ; and 
the commanding officer of each detachment will take care 
that a proper proportion of officers is sent in each boat." 

This order of debarkation, was accompanied by the fol- 
lowing instructions : 

94 G. O." Parole, Columbia. Countersign Victory. 
« Order of At tack. 

" As soon as the first division, under the command of 
ool Compte de Rouvray, has disembarked a sufficieiot num- 
ber of troops, he will attack the battery of the punta, in 
conjunction with the detachment from the navy. Hav ; ng 
carried that, he will leave it in possession of a detachment 
$f the navy ; and then proceed with the rest of the troops 
and take possession of the custom house and enemy's artil- 
lery near it, where he will leave the remainder of the na- 
val detachment ; and then proceed on the road leading to 
the town of Coro, where he will halt until informed of the 
landing of the 2d division. 
<* After receiving this information, he will proceed and 
h 2 



114 



to gain the point of attack on account of the 
roughness of the sea and the violence of the 
wind. The principal part of the second divi- 
sion, under Kirkland were at this time on board 
the Leander, as the boats of the squadron were 
not sufficient to disembark both divisions at 
once This occasioned a transfer of his troops 
to his majesty's ship Bacchante (captain Da- 



take possession of the town of Coro, on the supposition that 
he will be supported by the 2d division. 

u The naval detachment, charged with the care of the 
battery and town of Vela de Coro, will take care to send pi- 
quets on the roads leading into town, with orders not to 
allow any person to go out without a pass from the com- 
manding officer ; and any person coming in, to be strictly 
examined and acknowledged as a friend 

" A piquet of Indians under the command of capt. Leon, 
is to be posted on the road leading to Paraquana, Every 
species of plundering, is in the most positive terms prohib- 
ited ; and the general expects that every person composing 
this army, will conduct himself to all such of the inhabit- 
ants as appear friendly, in such a manner, as will concili- 
ate their affections ; and only treat as enemies all such as 
appear in arms, and make resistance. 

* The proclamation and pamphlets attached to them to 
be placed and distributed in every conspicuous place by 
the commanding officers of the different detachments, a- 
greealle to the ninth article ef the same. All reports tobe 



115 



cfes) where they remained until day light the 
next morning, The Bacchante got under 
weigh and beat up nearly abreast the strongest 
fort of La Vela de Coro during the night ; the 
brigs Attentive and Express and the gun boats 
also stationed themselves within point blank 
shot of the same place. 

On the morning of the 3d. the first division 
landed and were soon followed by the second, 
which would have arrived at the same time, 
had not the want of boats rendered it impossi- 
ble. Whilst the troops were advancing in the 



forwarded to the head quarters of the army at La Vela de 
Coro. As it will in the course of a day or two, be easy to 
to get any thing that may be wanted from o.i board the 
fleet, no baggage of any kind is to be carried on shore at the 
time of embarkation. Each man may carry on shore with 
him two or three biscuits, 

<fc Lieut col Roorbach is to join the detachment under the 
command of Lieut, col. Kirkland, and to do duty with it un- 
til further orders. 

(Signed) WM. ARMSTRONG, 

Q. M, General. 

* # * This order of attack, is to be executed, as nigh as 
possible, conformable to the preceding mode laid down ; 
should circumstances oblige any officer to deviate from it, 
he is to do it with the utmost tin umspection and tautionv' 



216 



boats, they were covered by a warm fire from 
the armed vessels of our squadron against the 
forts, which the latter promptly returned, but 
without -effecting any considerable injury. As 
they approached the land, the Spaniards began 
a smart, though ill directed fire of musketry 
from the bushes, which lined the whole extent 
of the beach. As the troops leaped from the 
boats, the Spaniards retreated farther into the 
bushes, where they were closely pursued by a 
party of our men, with whom, for a few mo- 
ments, they maintained a scattering fire. While 
this party engaged these fugitives, who soon 
dispersed, another party pressed on to the 
nearest fort, which stands upon the margin of 
the bay. This was entered by the hulans and 
marines, sword in hand, the Spaniards leaping 
the walls on the opposite side and flying in all 
directions. The guns of this fortification, on 
its coming into our possession, were immedi- 
ately pointed against the town, custom house 
.and magazine, distant about a quarter of a 
mile, where the main body of the Spanish foice 
was stationed with nine or ten pieces of artille- 
ry (4 and 6 pounders.) They were, however, 
soon compelled to retreat, and in such precip- 
itation and confusion, that they spiked but fefr 



of their cannon, and even left two of there! 
loaded. So far we had none killed and onl^ 
three wounded, one of which only is consider- 
ed in danger. 

Thus, on the third day of August, the ris- 
ing sun witnessed a display of the Columbian 
colours on the staff, which the Spanish royal 
standard had so long occupied. The inhabi- 
tants of all descriptions had fled principally the 
day before, taking with them the greater part 
of their moveables. Our delay of the attack^ 
in consequence of anchoring in the wrong 
place, gave them time. Flags of truce, with 
messages of peace, and assurances of protec- 
tion both to person and property were immedi- 
ately dispatched about the town and its envi- 
rons, soliciting the fugitive inhabitants to re- 
turn to their homes ; but either through the 
order of government, or affright, some old wo- 
men and a few men could be induced to ac- 
cept the invitation. 

General Miranda reached the shore at half 
past eleven, A. M. His arrival was retarded 
by the circumstance of the Lily having anchor- 
ed nine miles to the leeward of the town, which 
prevented both her and the Leander from shar- 
ing in the attack. Between nine and ten at 



118 



night, our force headed by the general began 
to march for the town of Coro, which lies a- 
bout twelve miles to the westward of La Ve- 
la ; and arrived there an hour before day dawn 
on the fourth. The march was conducted 
with so much order and silence, that the foot- 
steps of the troops were scarcely heard. The 
morning was unusually serene and pleasant-. 
A most solemn, or rather dreadful stillness per- 
vaded the whole place. The city a* we soon 
found, was entirely evacuated except by a few 
women, superannuated devotees, and perhaps 
a small body of armed men, left to guard the 
jail ; for it remains in some doubt, whether 
there was this force. If they were there, they 
escaped, for we took no prisoners underarms. 
Having passed through several streets we ar- 
rived at the publick square. On one side of 
this square, in front of the troops as they 
marched in, are the jail and council house ; 
opposite to these is a large church. The oth- 
er sides are occupied by publick buildings of 
different descriptions. When the head of the 
column entered the publick square, general 
Miranda, preceding the right of the first divi- 
sion, attended by some of his principal officers 
advanced to the grand avenue leading to the 



119 



jail and council house. In the mean time the 
second division had chiefly gained the opposite 
side, and were forming in front of the church. 
At this moment a tumultuous and disorderly 
fire commenced from the first divsion. Most 
of the officers assert that some guns were first 
discharged from the windows of the jail, but 
in this they are not unanimous. It is admitted 
by all that the hulans, marines^ and Trinidad 
infantry (under Downie) who were in advance 
of the other troops and by this time, at halt, 
near the prison, fired, not only towards the 
prison ; but also on the infantry and artillery 
who were posted behind them, before and near 
the church. The latter presumed they could 
receive such a a salutation from none but Span* 
iards, and took the firing for a commencement 
of the enemy's attack, imagining that the jail 
was a barrack, for which in the dark it might 
be mistaken, and that the enemy was assault- 
ing them from within and behind this build- 
ing. Without waiting for orders, upon per- 
ceiving the fire from that quarter, the infantry 
returned it with vigor. The clamour of fifty 
voices was instantly raised, commanding the 
men to cease firing. This clamour, with the 
cries of the wounded, che flight of the In- 



120 



dians, who had joined us at La Vela de Co- 
ro ; the breaking of ranks, &c. made a scene 
of confusion and tumult not to be described. 
After a few minutes the firing was silenced ; 
but not until colonel Kirkland, v whose utmost 
exertions to prevent this confusion from ex- 
ling to his division had proved ineffectual) 
the general's private secretary and five men 
were wounded aud one man was killed. No 
one seems able to give a satisfactory account 
of thio miserable affair. It appears in the 
garb of a shameful and sorrowful blunder of 
some body ; but the responsibility cannot be 
charged upon any particular individual. The 
general and the officers under whose eye the 
firing began, give no account of the matter^ 
as far as I can learn, either because they can- 
not, or will not explain it. Indeed they ob- 
serve a silence upon the subject that seems 
almost studied. One solution is, that there 
was a small guard of Spaniards, who dis- 
charged their muskets upon us from the jail 
windows ; and that the hulans and marines, 
upon the report of these pieces, through 
agitation and surprise, fired in different di- 
rections. But the jailer steadfastly deni- 
ed that he had any guard If there was 



121 



one it escaped, for, as it has been already 
observed no Spanish soldiers fell into our 
hands.* The other explanation is more pro- 
bable. Many of the men in the advanced 
guard assert that they were ordered to fire by 
Miranda. They say that the general, exulting 
in his easy possession of the city, wished to 
regale his ears with the military sound of a 
Jeu de joie ; and consequently ordered the men 
nearest him to commence the musick. Our 
troops, being composed of men of various na- 
tions and languages, the command was not 
perfectly understood by all. Hence some, 
thinking the firing was intended to be serious, 
and not sportive, discharged in a horizontal 
direction, aiming at those, who might be their 
enemies, whilst those who comprehended the 
order, pointed their guns in the air. 

When Miranda appeared before the prison 
gate, it was opened to him. He entered un- 
armed, and received the keys from the keeper, 
who, at the same time informed him, that the 



* The opinion that the firing began with one of our 
men shooting down another, said to be at the prison door, 
is certainly incorrect. The first report was of many pieces, 
not a single one. 

M 



122 



constituted authorities had obliged all the in- 
habitants to abandon the town. Upon this, 
while standing in the jail entry, he proclaimed 
to the jailor, his attendants and the prisoners 
that they were free, the latter shouted vive 
Miranda ! at the same moment it is said the 
general directed the troops near him to let off 
the feu de joie that proved so unseasonable and 
so fatal. 

Agreeably to this proclamation of liberty, all 
the debtors were immediately liberated from 
their confinement. The criminals, who had 
considered themselves included in the annun- 
ciation of freedom, wished to know why their 
fetters were not taken off, and their doors un- 
bolted. Miranda replied, that he came not to 
break but to maintain their laws under a more 
equitable and rational government : this answer 
no doubt unexpected, was more just than sat- 
isfactory to the felons. 

Col. Kirkland received two musket balls 
through the left thigh,justbelow the femoral arte- 
ry, at the instant he was forming his division in 
front of the jail. The misfortune of this gallant 
officer waslamented by the army in general ; and 
especially by the troops under his immediate 
command, who regard him with the highest con* 
v denec and affection ? and would fellow him into 



123 



any peril. Much was expected from his ac- 
tivity and military talents in the late critical 
posture of our affairs. The wound, which he 
bore with fortitude and cheerfulness, is dan- 
gerous, though we hope not mortal, Mr. Fitz- 
william was wounded in the arm near the 
shoulder, and though in great pain will probably 
recover. The man killed was a black, born 
in New- York, who had been cook of the ship. 
This unfortunate fellow, was with difficulty per- 
suaded to engage in the land service ; he pre- 
dicted his fate, by saying as he kT: the ship " I 
know I shall get killed if I go." 

We remained five days in the city of Coro. 
In this interval, the same means that had been 
used at La Vela, to bring in the inhabitants 
were again employed ; but with as little suc- 
cess. The people had been compelled to 
abandon their homes by the positive orders of 
the commandant, who threatened to make se- 
vere examples of those who remained behind, 
if they ever fell into his hands again. The 
priests too instructed the inhabitants of this 
province, that it had been invaded by a band 
of lawless hereticks and infidels, who came not 
only to rob them of their property, but also to 
deprive their souls of salvation, by spreading 



124 



damnable tenets and principles among the fa- 
vorites of the Holy Virgin. Whilst remaining 
here, we frequently beat to arms upon an a- 
larm of an approaching enemy, and inarched 
out with our artillery among the prickly pears 
and bushes which surrounded the place ; but 
returned as safe as we went out* 

On the night of the 9th we took up our 
march, it being reported that we were going 
to attack Bona Vista ; and in the morning 
found ourselves again in La Vela de Coro. In 
the preceding operations, the forts were first 
attacked by less than ninety men ; and we 
were only two hundred and sixty four strong, 
all included, when we entered the city 
of Coro. From the best information we 
could get, the number of Spanish force at Ve- 
la de Coro at the time of our attack was from 
five to six hundred, and about fifteen pieces 
of ordinance were _on the several batteries. 
The vigour of our assault in some measure 
confounded the enemy. Our fatigue prevent- 
ed any pursuit ; and consequently w e obtained 
no prisoners. 

The following is a translation of the procla- 
mation alluded to in the general order of de- 
barkation. 



125 



PROCLAMATION. 

Don Francisco dc Miranda, commander m 
chief of the army of Columbia, to the inhabi- 
tants of Columbian America : — Brave coun- 
trymen and friends — obedient to your wishes, 
and to the repeated requests and calls of the 
country, to whose service we have cheerfully 
consecrated the greater part of our lives ; we 
have disembarked in this province of Caraccas. 
The opportunity and time appear to us highly 
favourable for the completion of our designs ; 
and all persons composing this army are your 
friends or countrymen ; all resolved to sacrifice 
their lives, if necessary, for your liberty and 
independence ; under the auspices and protec- 
tion of the British navy. With these auxilia- 
ries, we can safely say, that the day will come, 
when our America, recovering her sovereign 
independence, her sons will be able freely to 
shew to the universe their exalted spirit. The 
oppressive, unfeeling government, which has 
obscured our finer qualities, and blackened 
with calumnies our deference and character, 
managed also to maintain her abominable sys- 
tem of administration for three successive cen- 
turies ; but was never able to eradicate from 

om hearts those moral andxivil virtues, which 
M2 



126 

a holy reiigion and a regular code of laws in- 
corporated with our customs, and led to am 
honest and natural course of action. Let us 
be worthy then of those admirable qualities, 
that the mean and odious agents of the court of 
Madrid being expelled, we may be able quiet- 
ly to establish the civil order necessary to the 
completion of so honourable an undertaking. 
The recovery of our rights as citizens, and of 
our national glory as Columbian Americans, 
will be among the least benefits we shall de- 
rive from that so just and necessary determina- 
tion. The innocent Indians and all other men 
will consider us all as brother citizens, and 
that precedency belongs only to merit and vir- 
tue ; in which belief they will primarily obtain, 
most certainly military and civil recompenses, 
the reward of merit alone. If the Dutch and 
Portuguese were able in former times, to throw 
off the yoke of Spanish oppression ; if the 
Swiss, and North Americans, our neighbours, 
haye equally succeeded to establish their liber- 
ty and independence, with the general applause 
of the world, and to the benefit of their inhabi- 
tants, when each of them, separately, scarcely 
contained two or three millions of people ; 
why then shall we, who are at least sixteen mih 



127 

lions, not be able as easily to extricate our- 
selves ? Possessing besides over and above 
these considerations, the most fertile, inex- 
haustible and rich continent in the known 
world ! The fact is, it depends solely upon our 
own will ; and that will, progressing to our in- 
dependence, union must assure to us perma- 
nent and perpetual happiness. The Divine 
Providence ordains it, to alleviate the miseries 
of our unhappy countrymen and for the pro- 
tection and benefit of the whole human species. 
Those people who are timorous, or less in- 
structed, and who wish to inform themselves 
of the ground work, of the justice and equity 
which these proceedings require ; joined to the 
historical truths that prove the inconceivable 
ingratitude, unheard of cruelties, and atrocious 
persecutions of the Spanish government to- 
wards the innocent and unhappy inhabitants of 
the new world, almost from the moment of its 
discovery., will read the subjoined address of 
Don Juan Viscardo, of the order of Jesus, di- 
rected to his countrymen, and they will find in 
it irrefragable proofs and solid arguments in fa- 
vour of our cause, dictated by a holy man, at a 
time when he was about taking his leave of 
this worlds to appear before the Creator of the 



128 

universe, To c^rry this plan into its due effect, 
with security and success, the citizens will be 
obliged, without distinction of classes or sta- 
tion ecclesiastics only excepted, in the parts 
where they may be appointed) to conform 
themselves strict ] y to the following articles : 
viz, 

I. Every person, military, judicial, civil of 
ecclesiastic, who exercises any authority grant- 
ed by the court of Madrid, shall suspend, pro 
facto, their functions, and those, who continue 
after the present publication, as well as those 
who obey such persons shall be severely pun- 
ished. 

II. The ecclesiastical courts and the courts 
of justice, in all cities, towns and places, shall 
exercise, ad interim, all the functions of gov 
vernment, civil, administrative and judicial, 
with personal responsibility, and regulated by 
the laws of the country ; and the curates of 
parishes and missionaries, shall remain in their 
respective churches and parishes without al- 
tering the exercise of their sacred functions. 

III. All the ecclesiastical courts and the 
courts of justice, shall send one or two depu- 
ties to the head quarters of the army, in order 
that they may unite themselves into a general 



129 



assembly on our arrival In tire capital ; and to 
form there a provincial government, which may 
lead in due time to another government general 
and permanent, with the consent of the whole 
nation. 

IV. Every citizen from the age of sixteen 
to fifty five shall repair without fail to the army, 
bringing with him such arms as he may be 
able to procure ; and if they have none, they 
shall receive them from the military depots of 
the army. 

V. The citizen who may have the baseness 
to make common cause with the agents of the 
Spanish government ; or who may be found 
with arms, encamped in any garrison, or place 
of strength for the said government, shall be 
treated as a traitor to his country. If any 
persons actually in the service of Spain, shall 
be so pusillanimous as to believe that they arc 
in honour bound to serve against the independ- 
ence of their countrymen, they shall be forever 
banished from the country. 

VI. On the contrary, all those who are ex- 
crcising any military, civil or whatever other 
employments, who join with promptitude the 
standard of the country, shall receive honours 
and employments proportioned to the zeal and 



130 



love of their country, which they shall have 
manifested in such an important conjuncture. 
Soldiers and sailors, shall be equally rewarded, 
according to their capacity and zeal. 

VII. The treasurers of the publick money 
shall immediately deposit the same with the 
administrators, civil and ecclesiastick,who shall 
nominate persons capable of managing the 
same, and for the supply of the Columbian ar- 
my, with whatever may be necessary to its 
maintenance and operations ; not only in mo- 
ney, but also provisions, clothing, vegetables^ 
carriages, horses and mules* 

VIII. In order to prevent any kind of in- 
sult or aggression on the part of the soldiers of 
advanced posts of the army ; the magistrates 
and parish priests of the cities, towns and vil- 
lages (under their personal responsibility) shall 
cause the colours or ensign of the national in- 
dependence to be fixed on the highest and 
most conspicuous parts of the churches ; and 
the citizens shall also wear in their hats, the 
cockade which denotes them to be friends to 
our just cause ; for without these they would 
not be respected and protected as brothers. 

IX. This proclamation shall be fixed by the 
prics.t and magistrates on the doors of the pat- 



131 



rish churches and all publick buildings, in or- 
der that it may be speedily notified to all the 
inhabitants. They shall also read in the 
churches and all the civil courts, once a day at 
least, the pamphlet formerly mentioned, writ- 
ten by J. Viscardo, which accompanies this 
edict. 

X. Whoever shall hinder, retard or neglect 
the observance of the nine preceding articles, 
shall be considered a publick offender, and 
punished immediately with exemplary severi- 
ty. The publick good is the supreme law. 
Done at Head Quarters at 

Coro, 3d of August, 1806. 
(Signed) 

FRAN : DE MIRANDA. 
Thomas Molini, Secretary. 

The pamphlet alluded to, was in Spanish, 
written twelve years ago, answering to the 
character given to it in the proclamation. It 
was designed to enlighten the people and to in- 
spire them with a hatred of kings and love of 
liberty. It attempts to show how happy other 
countries were in self-government and how 
easily the South Americans might possess 
themselves of this same blessing. 



132 



LETTER XIX. 

Other events previous to the evacuation of tfe 
Main. — Col. Hail's embarrassment. — Threat 
of M. concerning his wounded men. — Capt. 
Johnson's misfortune. 

Aruba August IT th, 1806. 
IMM EDI AT ELY on our return to La 
Vela de Coro, I learned what had happened 
there during our absence. No advices were 
sent to the commanding officer of La Vela, to 
acquaint him and the squadron of our having 
taken possession of the city, or apprise him of 
our situation. They were four days in a state 
of anxious suspense, w ithout hearing a sylla- 
ble of our fate. At the same time they w ? ere 
in constant apprehension of an attack from the 
Spaniards who were assembled in large bodies 
within a short distance of the town. Whether 
this neglect in Miranda, so vexatious to the 
detachment left in the rear be military or not, 
let military men decide. 

Col. Hall, who commanded at La Vela, 
grew 7 impatient to hear from the army which 
had gone to Coro and to put an end to his 



133 



doubts, was at last, obliged to send a messes 
ger to his excellency. It was with the greatest 
difficulty, and not without ample pecuniary 
promises, that a native could be found who 
would undertake the office. For some strange 
reason Miranda detained this messenger so 
long after he was prepared to return with ail 
answer to col. Hall, that the latter, with the 
remnant of our troops guarding La Vela, con- 
cluded that we were all taken prisoners, or had 
been put to the sword by the Spaniards. Un- 
der this impression, cob Hall thought it ex- 
pedient, for the time being, to plant several 
pieces of cannon round the house in which he 
resided ; and took the precaution of having 
boats in waiting on shore every night, to carry 
himself and the guard consisting of twenty 
five men, off to the squadron, in case they should 
be under the necessity of flying. 

Col. Hall, who had it in charge from Miran- 
da, to entice his countrymen back to their 
homes, finding his personal efforts ineffectual, 
addressed the following letter to the priest of 
that district, in hopes, by gaining the pastor to 
gain his flock. 

" Reverend Father, 

14 I take the iibertv to enclose you one of 
N 



134 



general Miranda's proclamations and pamphlets^ 
and to inform you, that I intended myself the 
honor of waiting on you tomorrow, to request 
that you will be so good as to come into town 
on Sunday next to celebrate mass. You may 
rely on the assurance of not being disturbed 
in any manned in the exercise of your holy 
functions. In the interval, I beg God to grant 
you long life and health. I kiss your hands. " 

This letter was written in Spanish, by lieut. 
Adrien, the colonel's secretary. The day af- 
ter it was delivered, this officer accompanied 
by It, Spearing and dr. Davie, both of the Brit- 
ish navy, waited on the curate. He replied in 
answer to the letter, that he could not officiate 
out of the district to which he belonged ; but 
his conduct and manners, proved that this was 
only an excuse. He was surrounded by a 
multitude of people, who testified no incon- 
siderable alarm at the presence of our ambas- 
sadors ; and hovered under the wings of his 
reverence, as their only safeguard from hereti- 
cal contamination. The truth was, that the 
priest wished to have no communication with 
any of Miranda's followers ; he knew, if he 
came into town, that he should be followed by 



135 



his flock ; and he therefore declined the invita.- 
tion, with a plausible excuse, lest the people 
should attach themselves to Miranda when 
they had more thoroughly discovered his in- 
tentions with respect to their country. It i$ 
very evident from this, and other circumstan- 
ces, that the inhabitants of this country will 
never listen to the proposals of our command- 
er in chief, unless they are led on and counte- 
nanced by their priests ; and without the con- 
currence of the priests his cause could not suc- 
ceed. These ecclesiastics have too much wis- 
dom to give up a certainty for an uncertainty ; 
to espouse an adventurer and revolutionist 
against the reigning government, which pro- 
tects their endowments and immunities, and 
builds up their influence ; and they have pro- 
bably as a body too much loyalty of feeling 
and principle to be seduced by ordinary pros- 
pects into a renunciation of their allegiance. 

Aruba^ August 20th 1806. — Before we pro- 
ceed to speak of our situation aid prospects, I 
will finish the narrative of events previous to 
our final evacuation of the Main, which took 
place on the night of the 13th of this month. 
Before we occupied La Vela de Coro it was 
understood that col. Hall was to be command- 



136 



ant of that place, when it should come into our 
possession ; but it was not officially known 
until the following general order * informed US 
of the colonel's promotion. 

On our march from the city of Coro, our chief 
exhibited conduct that left a strong impression 
of his inhumanity upon our minds. Desperate 
ends require desperate means* Shall the make** 



"La Vela> \0lh Jugust, I80&, 

$ G. O. Parole , Countersign — — ■ 

€oL William Gage Hall, was on taking possession of this 
place, appointed commandant, but owing to the movement 
of the troops, could not before this, be put in orders. He 
is now to be respected as such, and all rules and regula* 
lions made by him, for the interiour economy of the garri- 
son are to be strictly obeyed and respected." 

The conclusion of this order will appear to you sufficient- 
ly pompous when you recollect that it was addressed to na 
more than about thirty officers, and less than three hun- 
dred men ; who composed a mixture of every age, shape, 
condition, size and language. 

« A gun will tire, as usual at day light, when the reve- 
-\\le is to beat, bugle to sound, and colours to be hoisted. 
Troop to beat at eight o'clock, when the regiments and 
corps are to parade ; arms to be examined and guards to 
mount. An evening gun will fire at sunset, when the 
troops are to parade ; piquets and the field officer of the 
day to commence duty/' 



137 

of a revolution and the deliverer of a country, 
restrict himself to the rules, or yield to the visit- 
ings of humanity ? Be assured such an enter- 
prise supposes in him who conducts it, a sin- 
gleness of view that can sacrifice the right to 
the expedient, and the parts to the whole. The 
wounded of our troops were carried in litters 
upon the shoulders of the men, and much they 
suffered in mind and body in this dreary and 
fearful march. Owing to the weight of the lit- 
ters and the offensiveness of the wounds of 
some of the persons in them, the soldiers and 
sailors who were willing to do their utmost to 
help convey olf their distressed companions, 
but who were weakened by fatigue and hun- 
ger, could not support their burden for any 
length of time, and were obliged frequently to 
stop and change* Whenever this took place y 
Miranda flew into a violent rage ; pretending 
it was an unnecessary delay. At length, he de- 
clared that if the wounded retarded the march 
of the column, they should be put aside and 
left on the road ! This he said in hearing of the 
wounded, who expected the barbarous threat 
would be executed, and they should be left to 
perish without assistance, or to be cut in pie- 
ces by the Spaniards. One of the men at- 

N2 



1S8 



tached to a litter, conveying an officer, declar- 
ing that he was so much spent he could go no 
farther unless he was relieved ; the general said 
to the soldier — go on sir, I know what you can 
do — then turning to the officer, directing the or- 
der of march, " suffer no complaint — shoot that 
man through the body — give me a pistol here 
let me doit" — This officer, It. col. Roorbach in a 
very spirited and becoming manner remonstrat- 
ed with Miranda upon this conduct ; endeav* 
oured to check the torrent of curses he was 
venting against the men ; and begged him to 
have some consideration for the wounded and 
those who carried them. The moment the 
general threatened to leave the wounded on the 
road, an officer went to the rear of the column 
and informed the captain of Artillery and sev- 
eral of his companions what might take place. 
About twelve in number, determined, if such 
an attempt was made, to protest against it ; if 
that did not produce the desired effect, they 
resolved to resist the order at the point of their 
swords, being assured of the assistance of the 
men under their command, to whom they had 
already stated the barbarity of such a proceed- 
ing ; and who were not less indignant on 
the occasion than their commanders. Thh 



139 



threat of Miranda is perhaps to be attribut- 
ed to his ungoverned fear of being attacked 
by the Spaniards, and falling alive into their 
hands. This fear he may be supposed to have 
had, and yet not be a coward. I do not deny 
that he would meet the perils of ordinary bat- 
tle with real courage. I am persuaded he 
would rather fall into the hands of his country, 
men dead than alive. Armed horsemen were 
seen hovering upon the flanks and rear of our col- 
umn ; but they never came within reach of 
musketry. Midway between La Vela and the 
city, we forded a river, the banks of which were 
exceedingly steep ; here all thought it probable 
we should be attacked, and it was near this 
place, that the general made the threat of aban- 
doning his wounded to the mercy of fate, But 
admitting he was not seriously determined to 
do so, the event proved that he had no occasion 
to resort to an expedient of so abominable a 
complexion to hasten the march, as the Span- 
iards allowed us to pass the river unmolested. 
They no doubt over-rated our strength, whilst 
Miranda in this instance preferred acting on the 
defensive, as well from an apprehension of theif 
superior force, as to prove the sincerity of his 



140 

professions of tender regard towards the people 
of South America. 

In the course of the morning before our 
march to the city of Coro, about twenty five 
or thirty Indians were captured. Thy were as 
is customary in this country, armed with bows 
and arrows. They preferred joining our stand- 
ard to being' kept as prisoners. As we enter- 
ed the city they formed part of the advanced 
guard ; but the moment the firing took place, 
they fled precipitately ; leaving their bows and 
arrows on the ground. It has been reported, 
that when they saw our men firing on each oth- 
er, they supposed it was through animosity ; 
and observed, that if Miranda's men fired at 
each other, thev thought their turn would sooa 
come ; and therefore, they had better seek safe- 
ty in flight. Whatever might have been the 
motive which drove them off, they took good 
care never to make their appearance afterwards. 

Two days previous to our evacuation, capt, 
Johnson, who commanded the Leander, with 
a party of fifteen men, was taken by the Span- 
iards, which makes nearly eighty men and of- 
ficers, who have at different times, fallen into 
the hands of the enemy. The circumstances 
of this unhappy event are the following : 



141 



The Spaniards had for several days previous 
to that on which Johnson was taken, harrassed 
the watering parties, that were sent from the 
squadron to a river about three or four miles 
distant from the anchorage, and nearly the 
same distance from the batteries and town then 
occupied by the troops. This was the only 
place where a sufficient supply of water could 
be procured ; and the enemy's cavalry were 
always on the look out, to drive the sailors oft, 
which sometimes happened with the loss of 
their water casks. Captain Johnson being in* 
formed of this circumstance, and wanting \va* 
ter for his crew, obtained permission from the 
general to arm as many as could be spared 
from the Leander and set out at day light for 
the river, intending to procure water at all 
risks and to rout the Spaniards, who at that 
post were thought to be but few in number; 
but the night before he put his plan in execu- 
tion, a reinforcement, composed of horsemen, 
infantry and Indians, in number perhaps two 
hundred and fifty, had been stationed under cov. 
cr of the numerous sand hills, which formed the 
margin of the stream. The moment Johnson 
landed from his boat and had drawn up his 
men, a part of the enemy rushed upon hiira 



142 



from their concealment, with a heavy fire of 
arrows and musketry, Snd soon overpowered 
him and his party. Several were killed on the 
spot, and the survivors after an obstinate re- 
sistance and receiving many wounds were 
made prisoners, excepting one, who reached 
the ship by swimming, and one drowned in a 
similar attempt. This was at the dawn of 
day : the firing being perceived from the Lily, 
a party of thirty men under command, of lieut* 
Barclay, were sent to support Johnson ; but 
they were too late, to be of any other service, than 
that of killing and wounding about twenty 
Spaniards. Lieut. Barclay returned to town 
with his party, and gave information of the tate 
of Johnson and his comrades, requesting at 
the same time that a detachment of our soldiers 
might be immediately sent in conjunction with 
his own men to rescue the captives ; however r 
owing to some cause, never explained, proba* 
bly because it would not bear an explanation, 
none of our troops, though they were instantly 
under arms, received orders to march to their 
succour until near eight o'clock, at least two 
hours after the report had reached head quar- 
ters—and it is more than probable, that John* 
son, if taken alive, was with the remnant of hi$ 



143 



men, then on his way to the city of Coro, or al- 
ready there, at which place the Spaniards would 
imprison him until they received orders from 
Caraccas. The reports concerning the real con- 
dition of this ill-fated man, have been various 
and contradictory. Some assert that he was in- 
stantly killed ; others that he was only slightly 
w 7 ounded. Again we are told that he was desper- 
ately mangled in the contest, and was carried in 
that situation to prison, where he languished sev- 
eral days in misery and expired. Others again 
tell vis that he is still living, and is reserved for 
trial.* It is difficult to know which to believe ; 
but if the last be true, it gives some reason to 
hope that he will not be executed, or even senten- 
ced to death, as he is a British subject, and 
therefore had a right during the war and agree- 
able to the law of nations to engage in any ex- 
pedition against the enemies ol that country. 

Men versed in the science and practice of 
war, will inquire with wonder and astonish- 
ment for the reason, why this spirited officer 
was suffered (or rather not forbidden) to go on 
a watering party, with an inferior force to that 

— — 

* The same uncertainty respecting Johnson, still ex- 
ists-. 



144 



which had been already repulsed, without >a 
support by land detached from the infantry and 
artillery then in the town. One or two gun 
boats might also have been moored in a situa- 
tion to act with efficiency in covering their land- 
ing. This precautionary measure, strongly en* 
forced by prudence as well as humanity would 
have saved Johnson and his party ; and enabled 
them to have procured the water so much want- 
ed. In addition to these important advan. 
tages, would have followed the dispersion of 
the whole, if not the capture of a large portion 
of the assailants. 

Our astonishment increases when we are in- 
formed that the troops who volunteered with 
promptitude and cheerfulness to retrieve this dis- 
aster, which ought to have been prevented, were 
not ordered to march till the expiration of two 
hours or more, after the intelligence of John- 
son's fate had been announced bv lieutenant 

if 

Barclay, Shall we attribute this omission and 
delay to that want of decision and prospective 
comprehension, so discernible in all the trans- 
actions of Miranda, or to that nonchalance a§ 
regards the feelings, wants and sufferings of 
others, which constitutes one of the most prom * 
inent features in his character ? 



145 



Captain Johnson manifested much seal in 
Miranda's cause ; it even extended to the loan 
of a considerable sum of money. He held the 
general's note at ninety days, as security for 
three thousand dollars ; beside other advances 
and disbursements for the ship which were 
drawn from his purse at Trinidad. 

This paper is in the hands of Johnson's ex- 
ecutor, captain Hancock. Much good may it 
do him or his heirs, if it is ever recovered ; 
for there is no man more unwilling to pay his 
debts than Miranda, especially those which 
were contracted in consequence of this enter- 
prise. He seems to imagine that it was doing 
a favour to individuals to allow them to make 
him large donations of cash and services, the 
one never to be paid, and the other never to be 
rewarded, unless he succeeded in establishing 
a free republic in South America. 

It is a satisfaction to reflect that the proper- 
ty of the inhabitants of La Vela de Coro and 
the city was respected amidst all our wants ; 
except instances of rapacity in individuals, of 
a description always to be found in an assem- 
blage of men under arms, and the necessaries 
taken for our subsistence. 

The property found in the king's stores. 



246 



being considered as belonging to the free peo- 
ple of South America, was taken in charge for 
their benefit, by order of the commander in 
chief. The whole value of this did not exceed 
fifteen hundred dollars, which is to be divided 
among the troops.* What provisions we found 
in the deserted houses, stores and gardens of 
the Spaniards, our hunger obliged us to apply 
to our own use ; — had they chosen to stay, it 
would have been our general's policy to pay 
in proportion to his ability, for what we want- 
ed. I presume, their persons and property 
would have been inviolate, at least so far as 
they had discovered a willingness to be free, 
and to take our visit in good part. Though 
we were thus scrupulous in this respect, we 
probably shall not have the reputation of our 
forbearance. It is said, no doubt with truth 
that in several instances those inhabitants, who 
first came into the town after our evacuation, 
plundered the houses and stores of those who 
had not yet returned, and gave out that we 
were the robbers. Our care in this respect 



• It consisted chiefly of coarse linens, and furnished one 
shirt and pair of pantaloons to each ^cm-commissioned offi- 
per and private soldier. 



147 

affords almost the only consoling reflection, tq 
be gleaned from a review of our works on the 
Spanish Main. As I before observed, nearly 
all the inhabitants, rich and poor, male and fe- 
male* the sick and the old, as well as the heal- 
thy and young had disappeared* having fled to 
other places and to the woods. What a hor- 
rid panick must have seized these inoffensive 
people to have driven them to measures so ex- 
treme; and what a scene of distress must their 
flight have exhibited. It was not, however, in 
all cases, their own terror that prompted them 
to quit their homes ; but many* who would 
rather have encountered infidels than become 
the companions of wild beasts, were coerced 
to depart by the Spanish government. The 
governor drove the multitude out before him 
lilfe cattle, and would listen to no entreaties 
from those who desired to stay. Many doubt- 
less thought they might as well perish by 
sword as famine ; and that they stood at least 
as good a chance from the clemency of the in- 
vaders as was offered by a retreat into the for- 
ests. My heart is wrung to think of the do- 
me stick miscrv that must have been occasion- 
ed by this detestable business. Some of it I 
saw, and heard of more ; and have no doubt 



148 



there existed hundreds of instances of extreme 
suffering, which we could not know. One 
morning whilst we were at Coro, a young of- 
ficer informed me, he had accidentally seen a 
sick and helpless old man, who was near dying 
from Want, having had nothing to eat for the 
last two days. 1 proposed to take him some 
of our provisions before we dined- We ac- 
cordingly proceeded to his apartment with 
such sustenance and refreshments as we had. 
At this unexpected relief, his gratitude and joy 
were more than he could express. He uttered 
short thanks in Spanish, for he could speak no 
English ; but his face said a thousand grateful 
things, that no language could convey. By a 
gentleman who accompanied us, who under- 
stood Spanish, we learned that the old man's 
family and servant had left him, taking with 
them all the provisions in the house, the mo- 
ment that the firing of our cannon at La Vela 
was heard. He had been long confined by 
sickness, and was only strong enough to sit in 
bed ; but not to reach his crucifix and prayer 
book, which were on the window board some 
paces from his bed side. In this situation he 
must have expired had we not come to his re- 
lief* Before our departure from Coro, he and 



149 

other suffering inhabitants whom we knew, 
were supplied as far as in our power with a 
stock of provisions, to serve them till their af- 
frighted friends returned. 

Upon taking my departure from the Main, 
it is due to gratitude, that I mention the affect- 
ing kindness of a Roman priest at Coro, to our 
sick and wounded. He discovered a most a- 
niiable solicitude, both for the comfort of their 
bodies, and the future welfare of their souls. 
Towards col. Kirkland, for whose life we en- 
tertained serious apprehensions, he exercised 
the benevolence of a christian and the tender- 
ness of a father. He provided for him not on- 
ly a comfortable but elegant apartment, with 
several attendants and every necessary which 
his situation required. He is held in the most 
grateful remembrance by that officer. When 
w 7 e considered that this good catholick must 
have regarded us as enemies to his religion, his 
king and country and probably to mankind, his 
benevolence touched our feelings with peculiar 
force and contributed to sharpen the regret we 
could not but feel at the terror and distress we 
occasioned. 

Though we evacuated die place, it was not 

from any apprehension of danger to our persona, 
o 2 



150 



Whilst there we had several alarms ; but none 
I believe more terrific than the following : 

On the day of our re-embarkation from La 
Vela, intelligence was announced at head quar- 
ters that a corps of Spanish cavalry was ad- 
vancing against us. A detachment of infantry 
with a piece of artillery was put under march 
with a view to prevent their entrance into the 
town. The commander in chief soon followed ; 
liear the environs of the village he found the 
lieutenant halted, with a cluster of bushes in 
front. It was then raining in torrents. Miran- 
da supposed this time and place proper for sur- 
prising the enemy, then believed to be advan- 
cing, by a well directed fire from the ambush. 
The general puffing and fuming as he approach- 
ecl 5 said i 4 why don't yon fire lieutenant ? why 
don't you fire sir?" M I see nothing to fire at 
general replied the lieutenant. " Fire at 
those bushes then sir," rejoined the general ; 
"Fire, sir, and let them know we have got 
guns." The officer blazed away according to 
order. What havock was made among the 
bushes we know not, as no return of the killed 
and wounded has been made. The truth is, 
the Spaniards never approached nearer than 
within three or four miles of the town and bat v 



15 1 



teries ; nor was there any appearance of their 
force at eleven o'clock the day after, when we 
weighed anchor, bound to Aruba. 



LETTER XX. 

M* takes possession of Aruba by proclamation***— 
Sickness of t tie men.— Courts Martial. 

Aruba, August 22d, 1806. 
MIRANDA has taken formal possession 
of this island ; and announces it to the consti- 
tuted authorities of the place in the following 
proclamation, which is written in Spanish and 
posted up in ail publick places. 

PROCLAMATION. 
M Inhabitants of Aruba, circumstances force, 

us to take possession of vour island ; but rest 
i j * 

assured that your religion and commerce shall 
remain unmolested ; and the execution of vour 
laws shall continue in the hands of your pre- 
sent magistrates : conscious that from a virtu- 
ous people like you, nothing is to be appre- 
hended. Our object is to emancipate a people, 
who have long suffered under the rod of tyran- 
ny ; and who have invited us to give them a 



152 



more equitable government. The governor of 
Caraccas, has offered a reward of thirty thou- 
sand dollars, for the head of a citizen, whose 
life has been from its earliest period devoted 
to the good of his countrymen ; and who will 
shed the last drop of his blood, in endeavouring 
to effect in South America, what Washington 
has done in the United States ; what Dion and 
Pelopidas did in Greece ; and the Prince of 
Orange in Holland ! Ask the wretch by what 
laws human or divine, he is authorized to de- 
stroy me ? except that he wishes to renew in 
these days, the cruelties of the duke of Alba 
in the Netherlands, under Phillip II. and which 
has transmitted his name with infamy to pos- 
terity, as well as the government that support- 
ed him." 

(Signed) MIRANDA. 

(Signed) 

Thomas Molini, Sec. & Reg. 

Let no one impute a want of modesty to this 
philosophical, cosmopolitan, patriotic perform- 
ance. The assertion that che South Americans 
have invited us to give them a more equitable 
government, is not supported by any evidence 
'which has come to our knowledge. 

Our general professes to expect to " keep 



153 



moving" and accomplish his great design, lie 
looks for a considerable reinforcement to be 
sent to this island by the British. Then he 
means to try another descent on the Main. 
Whether either of these events will take place 
under the auspices of our chief, is now a mat- 
ter of serious doubt in the minds of the intelli- 
gent part of his followers ; and in my opinion* 
in his own mind too, though he does not think 
proper to own it at this moment The British 
officers employed in the expedition, I am per- 
suaded think it hopeless, at least, under the 
conduct of our leader, and are heartily tired of 
such a bagatelle service. In pursuance how- 
ever of his original plan, the general, on the 
9th, sent an officer with dispatches to the gov- 
ernor of Jamaica, and to admiral Dacres, the 
purport of which was to inform them of our 
partial success on the Main ; and to solicit a 
sufficient number of troops to enable him to 
regain the country and to keep possession of 
it, till he can collect a force among the inhab- 
itants, to march to the interiour to stronger 
holds and more important places, than La Ve- 
la, or Coro. — Whether the messenger is the 
best, which might have been selected, is not 
for me to determine. But there is no reason 



154 



to think that if the errand was done ever s© 
well, it would issue in success. There are 
few British troops in the West Indies ; and 
after what has taken place, none to spare for 
general Miranda it is pretty certain. 

The Bacchante sloop of war has arrived here 
since we anchored ; but has no orders to join us. 

The commander of this ship is entitled to 
\he warmest thanks of our second division, 
for his attention and kindness to them during 
the afternoon and night they were on board of 
his vessel. The officers, in particular, are un- 
der great obligations to him for his civility and 
politeness to them on that occasion. His ship 
was in the highest order imaginable, and ex- 
tremely commodious ; he is an excellent sea- 
man and manages her in a masterly mannei ? 
with a crew under the most complete discipline. 
You will be surprised in hearing that captain 
Dacres, her commander, is but eighteen years 
df age. He is a son of the admiral of that 
name, and is not only the pride of his father, 
but will, if he lives, one day be a shining orna- 
ment in the British navy. 

Our troops have been kept together in a 
camp formed on the sandy beach of this bar- 
ren island, where they are exercised morning 



.155 



and evening, under the command of an officer 
as little qualified by head or heart, to exercise 
authority over human beings, as you can imag- 
ine ; but whom obsequiousness and deference 
have made very acceptable to the commander 
in chief. 

It is not enough, that the poor slaves, called 
volunteers, are neither clothed, fed nor paid, 
and exhausted with the fatigues of our late 
campaign ; they must also be subjected to the 
strict regulations, and rigid discipline required 
in an army in the field ; and all this adminis- 
tered by a man whom they heartily dislike, 
and who has as little consideration for the feel- 
ings of his fellows, as any man whom God ever 
suffered to be dressed in- authority. But " pa- 
tience and fortitude are the virtues of sol- 
diers;" and in so good a cause, and in the 
service of the renowned Miranda, who shall 
not be happy to bear privations ? 

The goats of the island are laid under con- 
tribution for our use. The rank flesh of these 
animals, loathsome beyond description, with 
half a ration of bread, and a little sour wine, 
constitutes all our sustenance 

Distressing sickness has spread among the 
troops — For the two nights and the day im- 



156 



mediately before our evacuation of La Vela de 
Ccro, there was a continual and excessive 
rain ; to which our men were exposed. After 
getting on board, they were obliged in gener- 
al to keep on their wet clothes, for want of 
changes of garments. This circumstance, 
joined to their previous fatigues a^d to the 
want of comforts on their arrival here, brought 
on an inflammatory fever, which has raged 
with great violence, and pro\ed fatal to se- 
veral, though not to so many as might be ex- 
pected. x\bout forty men and eight or ten 
officers have been confined in miserable hov- 
els, called hospitals, under every circumstance 
of distress and poverty. Our diet is bad 
enough to make the well sick, and to the 
sick it is insupportable. Besides, our poor 
invalids have little or no attendance. Many 
of them are without shirts to their backs, or 
any other sufficient clothing, and without beds, 
stretched on the floor. Miranda view 7 s all 
this suffering of his followers with a peculiar 
sang froid. It is worthy of a philosopher no 
doubt to bear the calamities of others with 
resignation. It becomes the firmness of a 
great captain not to be too much affected 
with those hardships of his soldiers, which he 



157 

is unable to remedy or alleviate ; but in this 
case the condolence of the chief would do the 
wretches some good ; and if he chose, he 
might, one would think, see them provided 
with more comforts Instead of visiting the 
hospitals, or interesting himself in their man- 
agement, he sits the whole day at his quarters, 
the best house in town for good living and con- 
venience, picking his teeth in silence ; or talk- 
ing to some of his staff, who, with a few ex- 
ceptions, are as negligent and unconcerned as 
himself. Among the exceptions is the gener- 
al's aid de camp, Mr. Smith, who does all in 
his power to alleviate the condition of the in- 
valids. 

Sept. 20th. For want of something else to 

do, or to gratify the piques of the chief, rather 

than from any serious occasion or just pretence, 

several courts martial have been instituted in 

form ; several officers arrested, and one tried 

and sentenced to the cruel punishment of being 

dismissed from this honourable and inviting 

service. It may afford you some amusement 

as well as enlighten you on the nature of our 

social compact to see a history of these mock 

tribunals in their chronological order. The 

first was created at Port of Spain, in July, with 

p 



158 

the same formality, as if we had been an ac- 
knowledged army ; as you will perceive by the 
following general order. 

f - Le under, \Qih July, 18.06. 
" G, 0. 5? A general court martial, consist- 
ing of one field officer and four captains to as- 
semble on iMonday morning, at 10 o'clock, on 
board of this ship, for the trial of such prison- 
ers as shall be brought before them. 
Major SANDS, President. 
Capt, Loudon, * 



Members. 



Capt. Ledlie, 

Capt. Allison, 

Capt. Rankin, 
Lieut. Hosack is appointed to act as Judge 
Advocate, to whom lieut. col. Roorbach will 
send the names of the prisoners and alleged 
crimes^ and cause witnesses to attend.' 5 

The business of this court martial was to 
try a Columbian lieutenant and surgeon, who 
had offended capt. Campbell, They came on 
board of the Leander one night, somewhat ex- 
hilirated, in consequence of having fallen into 
hospitable company. Here they made a noise 
so loud, that the captain of the Lily, who Jay 
near, apprehended there was a general rio£, ,the 
gun of a sentinel on board going off just at that 



159 



Instant, as appeared afterwards by accident. 
He accordingly dispatched a boat for the Mi- 
randonians concerned, with orders to bring 
them dead or alive into his ship. The lieutenant 
resisted at first ; but being overpowered, was 
brought with the surgeon on board the Lily. 
He seemed to think this exercise of authority 
in the Englishman an indignity, presuming 
that he was not accountable to him for his con- 
duct on board the Leander ; and that it was 
nothing to capt. Campbell, whether the Mi. 
randonians were drunk or sober, vociferous or 
mute. He and his comrade were, however, 
kept in close arrest for trial. The court made 
several ineffectual attempts to proceed to busi- 
ness. The members were so indisposed to 
their office, that they could not be all got to- 
gether. One of them lately from Scotland, 
learning that he was to be summoned to figure 
at the martial board* betook himself into the 
country to be out of the way ^ alleging that he 
was not well enr jgh acquainted with the 
American articles of war to sit in judgment on 
the conduct of Columbian culprits. When a 
board was formed, they could not lengthen 
their faces to the solemnity of the occasion 
amidst the arch looks and indirect ridicule ef 



160 

the officers who were spectators ; and on dif- 
ferent pretexts delayed entering upon their 
functions, which they felt were only a carica- 
ture of authority. Finding the business was all 
a farce, Miranda dissolved the court martial ; 
but to preserve the semblance of power, alleg- 
ed as a reason that he had condescended in 
consequnce of the intercession of capt. Camp- 
bell and some other officers to pardon the of* 
fenders ; hoping this goodness w'ould have the 
hest effect upon their conduct. I have seen 
the defence that the lieutenant intended to 
make* if he was arraigned, in which, besides 
objecting to the constitution of the court, al- 
leging that one member had given his opinion ; 
that another was his personal enemy, &c. he 
pleads against the right of jurisdiction : the 
purport of this plea was, " I have sworn to 
serve the free people of South America, or the 
government, which they may establish ; in my 
military conduct having the benefit of the arti- 
cles of war of the United States. Are you gen- 
tlemen the people of South America, or is your 
authority derived from the government which 
they have estabbiished ? Gen. Miranda, all his 
.volunteers, as well as his ship, are here by 
courtesy ; they and myself are amenable to, the 



m 

civil Authority of this island and no other. 
How can you try me by the American articles 
of war, with the British ensign flying over your 
heads ?" for at that time the Leander on board 
of which the court assembled was under Brit- 
ish colours. During the space of some months 
there was hardly a week, when this questiona- 
ble ship wore the same ensign, Sometimes 
the Columbian flag was hoisted ; sometimes 
the American ; at others the British ; and fre- 
quently none whatever. He concluded with 
saying, " you have no right to arraign my con- 
duct ; and if you do me any injury, I shall ap- 
ply to the laws of this colony for redress." 
Whether this plea would have been admitted 
is uncertain ; but it agrees with the opinion 
which the officers generally had oi their rights 
and obligations. Under this impresbion, it is 
perhaps remarkable that they behaved so* well. 
An honest man is very properly said to be 
more honest on account of the law ; and the 
licentious may be expected to exemplify the 
necessity of law on many occasions. From 
the nafiire of the thing however, the will of the 
commander in chief seems to be an authority 
from which there is no appeal. About the 

same time he chose to exert it in turning out 
p 2 



162 



of the army a young man without asking the 
opinion of any court martial. 

Though we have stipulated for the benefit of 
the articles of war of the United States, it 
would seem from this instance that he consid- 
ers we hold our places not during good beha- 
viour, but during his pleasure. This person 
was a Mr. B. of Barbadoes, of good education 
and respectable family. His real offence un- 
doubtedly was, that he allowed himself to laugh 
at some of the absurdities relating to the expe- 
dition that were daily practised under the eye 
of our chief. Miranda, not satisfied with dis- 
missing him from the army, aimed to disgrace 
him in the view of his comrades, by making 
the act a part of general orders ; charging him 
with conducting improperly in various ways 
and in disobedience of orders ; and observing 
" that he begs to be understood by all going 
upon the expedition, that while he will pay 
every attention and respect to the meritorious 
and deserving officer and soldier, he will not 
allow any person that acts improperly to go 
unpunished." B. being left destitute in a 
strange place, thought proper to proceed with 
the expedition unknown to Miranda. He wish- 
ed to surprise him by his valour and usefulness 



163 



at the landing; and to convince the general 
that he had done him injustice. Accordingly 
B. was extremely serviceable at the attack on 
La Vela de Coro, at which time and afterwards 
he proved himself to be possessed of a degree 
of military skill and invincible courage ; but 
though Miranda was assured of this ; and ac- 
knowledged him to be a " man of merit and 
perseverance," his enmity was not to be ap- 
peased ; and he would not reinstate him ; nor 
allow him to be considered any thing but an 
uncommissioned volunteer, in which capacity 
he remained until the abandonment of the en- 
terprise, and then returned to his native island. 

The becond of these courts was instituted 
with a view of trying some young men, charg- 
ed w r ith trivial offences, which in any regular 
army would have passed with a moderate re- 
primand. But in these cases, the persons ar- 
raigned were those not belonging to the coterie 
profoundly attached to Miranda, and who gave 
their tongues some greater latitude concerning 
his affairs, than he approved. He thought it 
necessary to check the evil, which he appre- 
hended might spread, and thus deter others 
from the profaneness of judging and condemn- 
ing his notions and movements. The clifficul- 



164 



ty of organizing the court prevented their prete 
ceeding, and thus deprived us of the benefit of 
witnessing what Miranda was wont to term 
4i salutary examples of correct discipline.' 8 
The young men were liberated from arrest aftef 
ten or twelve days and ordered to return to du- 
ty. The third court was called in consequence 
of a dissolution of the former ; and after much 
exertion entered upon business. The adju- 
tant of the North American Infantry was ar- 
raigned ; but it was thought best to let him 
go. The principal offence laid to his charge 
was disputing and countermanding the orders 
of his superiour officer in not delivering a cam- 
boose to the hulans. The adjutant did certain, 
ly subject himself to a suspicion of contumacy 
by this refusal, but his conduct admitted of so 
much apology that proceedings against him 
were dropped. He received an order from the 
quarter master general to take this most neces- 
sary article from the Leander, for the purpose 
of cooking the goat flesh rations of the North 
American Infantry, who were under the parti- 
cular care of this adjutant* Accordingly the 
eamboose had been daily applied to the pre- 
paration of the meals for the infantry and len^ 
occasionally to some other corps. At one twfc. 



165 



lucky time, when this machine was filled with 
the dinner for his men, which was about half 
through the process of boiling ; and when it 
was engaged after he had done with it to be 
lent to the Indian volunteers, whom the general 
calls " my peoples" and who were encamped 
near him ; there came a subaltern with an or- 
der from a major instantly to deliver up the 
camboose, maugre the necessities of the hun- 
gry infantry and those who expected their next 
turn. The adjutant's blood was a little too 
much roused by this apparent contempt of the 
wants of himself and his men ; and he made a 
resolute though an ineffectual stand against 
the demand, conceiving very naturally that nei- 
ther he nor his people could with any reason be 
expected at so short warning to renounce the * 
custom of eating their dinner, such as it was. 

The chevalier de B. was charged with a 
usurpation of authority and with cruelty and 
ungentiemanlike conduct. But the most seri- 
ous accusation was that of " contempt and dis- 
respect to the commander in chief, in writing 
and sending to him a contemptuous and dis- 
respectful letter, containing false assertions and 
reflections on the characters of his superiour 
officers and those officers composing the gen* 



tral court martial, ordered to assemble on the 
f)th." The court did him the justice to acquit 
him of the charge of cruelty and ungentleman- 
like behaviour ; but found him guilty of the 
last charge § and sentenced him to be dismiss- 
ed from the service. Without doubt the let- 
ter was loftv, indignant and sarcastick, and all 
Sds it might be, and contain no falsehood* In 
law it is a well known maxim ^ in some instan- 
tes, the greater the truth the greater the libel ; 
and surely it became the court to pronounce 
censures upon themselves and our chief to be 
false. Notwithstanding this sentence, I believe 
it is the opinion of all who know de B, and 
probably of his judges that he is still entitled 
to the character of a gentleman, a good officer 
and a man of honour, as far as came to our 
knowledge. 

In two instances at Aruba, the differences 
between officers required the " amende hon- 
ourable 5 ' and the parties went out to fight du- 
els ; but through the prudence of the seconds 
in one case a reconciliation took place on the 
ground ; and from the same cause probably 
in another, two exchanges of shot left the com- 
batants with a sound skin ; and the challenger 
said he WuS satisfied. 



167 



The services of the judge advocate in the 
court martial gained him the honour of promo- 
tion, and he was raised from the rank of lieu- 
tenant to a captaincy of artillery, This kind of 
paper reward has on various occasions been 
vouchsafed, as the uneasiness of an individual 
with his grade, the necessity of answering his 
call for pay, or the policy of our chief to appear 
to have something to give, and to countenance 
merit, seemed to require. 

During his arrest, chevalier de B. was treat- 
ed with as much severity as if he had been a 
conspirator or felon. He was obliged, by or- 
der of the general to confine himself on board 
of a small transport schooner, where he almost 
wanted necssaries ; and when he came on shore 
to trial, was escorted by two or three soldiers 
with fixed bayonets. It is very probable that 
he will not hang himself of chagrin for not de- 
serving the good will of the adventurer and hi§ 
court martial ; though be, like some others of 
us, may not be able to think with much pa- 
tience of the ill stars, that brought him int® 
the power of such a man. As to the sentence 
of dismissal, he is very possible so unwise as 
to imagine tant is, tant mieux.* I believe 

* tnuca tiie worse* bo much the better. 

■ 



163 

many besides him would be very willing to 
earn a similar sentence, if they were certain the 
doing it \vould not expose them to something 
more. But the spirit of Miranda is chafed; 
i d the consciousness of beine disliked and 
distrusted, makes him suspicious and revenge- 
ful. He has some degree of that species of 
cowardice which resents the pang it feels ; and 
the animosities among some of the officers are 
rancorous. It would not be surprising, if a 
man were to avow his disgust with the service, 
or his want of respect for its leader, that the 
latter should pack a court, who being govern- 
ed by his will, instead of contenting them- 
selves with taking away the offender's com- 
mission, should make him feel concern for his 
liberty or even life. The apprehension 'of be- 
coming victims to malice is enough to make 
the officers guarded in their conversation, ex- 
cept among those who are confidential. 



I6f 



LETTER XXII. 

Animadversions of officers on the expedition*— 
Curacoa scheme. 

Aruba, Sept. 2\st, 1806. 
YOU will naturally ask, what is the pur- 
port of the conversations which these persons 
hold ? They express their sense of disappoint- 
ment in all their expectations concerning Mi. 
randa and his schemes. " He lured us," say 
they, " from our country and homes by prom- 
ises and declarations entirely unfounded. Why 
did he not tell us of the chances against his 
success, which he must have known to exist, 
instead of saying, that his adventure was infal- 
lible, setting aside the dangers of the seas. 
Through his delasive representations, seventy 
of our countrymen are dragging out their mis- 
erable existence in the Spanish mines \ and ten 
are reported to have come to an ignominious 
end on the scaffold. The groans and tears of 
their widows, children, brothers, sisters and 
friends accuse him before high heaven as the 
immediate author of their afflictions." 

On the subject of the loss of cur schooners* 



170 



the following is extracted from the journal of 
one of our principal officers, whose station ne- 
cessarily gave him frequent access to the gen- 
eral ; though it differs in some respects from 
the account given in my letter of May 6th, I 
think it proper to be communicated in this 
place. His remarks are couched in these 
terms : — 44 When the Leander bore away from 
the land to avoid falling between the two Span- 
ish vessels, which appeared to be the object of 
their commanders, the brig being upon the 
larboard, and the schooner on the starboard 
quarter, the Bee came within hail of the Lean- 
der ; capt. Huddle informed capt. Lewis from 
his speaking trumpet, that he was out of am- 
munition. Lewis replied that he could not then 
send the boat with a supply, but he must 
keep near the Leander and be ready to board. 
This undoubtedly prevented the captain ol the 
Bee from pressing sail as he otherwise would 
have done. The Leander, however, receded 
from the guaida costas, while the latter gained 
upon our schooners. At length the Bacchus 
bore away wing and wing before the wind. 
The Spanish brig instantly pursued. Previous 
to this Miranda had gone below, and had sent 
for capt, Lewis; what passed between them 



17 L 



We shall never learn except from their own de- 
clarations ; for in this case as in ail others of 
importance, Miranda did not permit a third 
person to be present. When Lewis came up- 
on deck, it was supposed we should, if possi- 
ble, engage the Spanish schooner, still in pur- 
suit of us, and bearing on our starboard quar- 
ter, the Bee having fallen on our larboard. No 
orders to this effect were however given*? Lew- 
is told me that the general wished to see me 
below. When 1 entered his state room I found 
the general with a chart in his hand and point- 
ing to the islands of Trinidad and Margaritta, 
he said " we must go first to the island of Aves 
or Bonair for water, and I think we had then 
best shape our course for Trinidad, where 1 
have resources and shall receive assistance from 
the English ; here is Margaritta which we can 
take if we think proper with the force we now 
have ; the pilot tells me we can beat up in ten 
or fifteen days.— What is your opinion ?" I 
said in reply, " I concurred with him both in 
the feasibility and expediency of this mea- 
sure but added, " let us endeavour to save 
our schooners, general. The Bacchus has 
borne away before the wind and is pursued by 
the Spanish brig ; I believe it is the opinion of 



172 



these who are skilled in naval tacticks, that we 
can now put about, engage and carry the Span- 
ish schooner unless she outsails us ; by this 
attempt we shall probably divert the brig from 
chasing the Bacchus, as she will be under ap- 
prehensions for her consort, and the Bee will 
be again protected by our ship and ready to as- 
sist in boarding. At all events sir, and upon 
every calculation we shall save our comrades, 
It is the desire of us all upon deck, general, to 
perish with our companions rather than become 
eve witnesses to their capture. 57 " Well then" 
— was Miranda's reply to this representation ; 
the meaning of which I thus interpreted— — if 
you will make the attempt, 1 shall not or will 
not, or most likely cannot prevent you ; but I 
have given my private orders to capt* Lewis. 
For Lewis declared the next day and always 
afterwards, 44 that Miranda had ordered him to 
bear away and escape.'' This the general ne- 
ver denied : but said in a conversation with 
me the following morning, that 44 Lewis un- 
doubtedly would endeavour to throw all the 
blame upon him," thus intimating a conscious- 
ness that he was responsible. Every circum- 
stance attending this affair tallies with the fore- 
going remarks, whatever Miranda may choose 



173 



to say to the contrary. Before he went below, 
he asked the officer who acted as aid to Lewis, 
" what shall we do to save our schooners," 
"fight sir" was the answer. I shall not say 
what motive induced him to order the flight of 
the Leander. A desire to save his own person 
is the most probable solution ; yet while on 
deck he appeared cool and collected. When 
he first came up in the morning, he looked ra- 
ther big and full of fight. After viewing the 
Spanish vessels with his pocket glass, he ob- 
served to me tfi well sir, can't we burn and de- 
stroy these rascals." M We must try, general; 
if we do not burn them, they will certainly 
burn us." Whatever he would or would not 
have done, it is now to no purpose to enquire* 
Our associates are in captivity ; if their lives 
are spared, their miseries and sufferings will be 
worse than death ; and we are left to reflect with 
grief and indignation that we were not permit- 
ted, though every heart burned with impatience 
for the conflict^ to make an effort for their sal- -\ 
vation." 

The conduct of their chief in other particu- 
lars his officers arrraign on various grounds. 
4 * At Barbadoes and Trinidad," say they, " he 
was near defeating the disposition in British 



governors and commanders to assist him, and 
did do it in a considerable degree, by the ex- 
travagance of his expectations and claims. " It 
is certain," they observe, " that before he sail- 
ed for the Main, he might have obtained funds 
for his purposes by only promising to capital- 
ists commercial privileges, which it was in his 
power to promise and might have been to per- 
form. Though his poverty paralized all his 
operations, he did not avail himself of this re- 
source, alleging that his u people" would sup- 
ply him with all he wanted, By force he took 
possession of one of their strong holds and a 
chief city ; yet when he had obtained these ad- 
vantages, he professed to have scruples about 
using this same force to secure what he had 
gained, What business had he at all in that 
country in arms, if he did not mean to exert 
power when persuasion failed ? He contented 
himself with sending out proclamations and 
pamphlets, instead of demanding the king's 
treasure, or levying contributions or resorting 
to any of those expedients which belong to 
usages of warfare. He might have maintained 
himself in La Vela for a length of time ; and 
had he continued there, he would undoubtedly 
h emi reinforced from different quarters. 



11$ 



If he had friends and adherents in that coumry 
as he always declared, his stay would have 
brought them to rally round him, His con- 
tinuance would have accorded with the inten- 
tions and expectations of the British admiral, 
who had assisted hirn so for. Admiral Coch- 
rane undoubtedly intended to give him all the 
chance that a sufficient naval force could sup- 
ply. In proof of this, several armed vessels, 
including one seventy-four, were sent to sup- 
port the squadron first put under his orders, 
and supposed to be at Coro, with directions to 
land a number of men, as they might be found 
necessary and useful ; but finding we had de- 
parted in an unaccountable manner, they have 
naturally concluded that he is unequal to his 
enterprise and is not worth supporting. It is 
not surprising that their orders should not ex- 
tend to conducting him from one part to ano- 
ther of the Caribbean sea or to assist in a se- 
cond attempt on the Main, when he had made 
such &faux pas in the first. Undoubtedly they 
are ready to seize the pretext which they now 
have for dissolving a connexion attended with 
expense to the government and mortification 
to its patrons satisfied that they do more than 
justice to his claims in conveying him to a 



176 



place of safety. Had he displayed the energy 
which became his pretensions and means, there 
is reason to believe he would have become so 
powerful as to afford protection to those who 
should choose to join his standard, or at least 
make terms for his> captive followers, whose 
relief was a primary motive with many of us 
for going a second time on the expedition. 
What has he done to rescue these unfortunate 
men ? Having determined to evacuate the 
Main, he might have made the liberation of 
the prisoners a condition of his departure. 
The government there would not have thought 
the surrender of the prisoners too great a pi ice 
for even the temporary riddance of so trouble- 
some a visitor. If this be supposed impracti- 
cable, why has he never made an effort with 
the Lnglish commanders to have them put on 
the footing of prisoners of war ? In short that 
this man is able to do evil is certain, but to do 
good, where is his skill or force ? He was an 
object of abhorrence to his countrymen before; 
he is now regarded with contempt " How far 
these complaints and charges are true, let facts 
decide. To the^e causes of uneasiness is to 
be added the dissatisfaction of the American 
. officers at being superceded in their grade by 



those who embarked in- the cause more recent- 
ly. From the information we have received* 
we think a war between the United States and 
Spain almost certain. In this case, Miranda 
might get resources from our country. But 
the Leander concern have been such sufferers, 
and the American officers and soldiers are so 
much disgusted, the general would probably 
be disappointed in his expectation of further 
support from individuals of the United States. 
I bee no probability that the English will do 
any thing more. You will now enquire, what 
do we propose ? As I have observed, we are m 
the power of this man : and have good reasons 
to apprehend serious collisions, if we take an)* 
steps to get rid of his authority. If we were of 
one sentiment and party, it would certainly be 
easy to prescribe our terms and to require him 
to command as we please ; to take the com- 
mand ourselves, or to abandon him altogether.* 
Our proper course would undoubtedly be tq 
release ourselves from his service, or to com- 
pel him to give us the direction of the Lean- 
der and all the men, over whom the British 
have no absolute authority. But an attempt 
of this kind might not succeed, without blood- 
shed, as he has a few sycophants and gascon- 



178 



ades still about his person, who might oppose 
it. V\ e prefer more buffering, rather than in- 
crease the contempt and ridicule of our ene- 
mies and the world, by cutting one another's 
throats. Miranda is perhaps indebted to our 
pride more than our affection for the continu- 
ance of his authority, if not for the safet) of 
his head. 

As a proof of the discontent that prevails a- 
mong die troops, the Indians and Spanish peo- 
ple of colour have already threatened to debert 
into the woods it they art: not soon better treat- 
ed ; they complain of seeing no omen of hap- 
pier times ; of the tyranny of the pompous ba- 
shaw 7 who commands them in the camp, and of 
the want of food and apparel. We are very 
short of provisions and iil accommodated in 
every respect ; it is therefore not surprising 
that the Indians, though used to exeicise pa- 
tience under sufferings, should despond and 
hoid this language. 

The only officer of rank and influence, who 
feels for their situation, and in whose sincerity 
and friendship they have confidence, is still 
confined with his wounds, at his quarters some 
distance from town. They are therefore de* 
1 rived of his personal interposition. This dis- 



179 



content extends to the Spanish officers* also. 
Their displeasure is often expressed in the 
Strongest terms against our chief. To one of 
these gentlemen, an American officer observ- 
ed, that *• he believed the expedition would 
never succeed under Miranda; his indecision, 
caprice, petulance, meanness and duplicity ren- 
der him unfit for conducting any enterprise of 
magnitude " — <* Qui" said he *• nous le Jerons 
sans ce chien Miranda. II n J est pas ca able 
de /aire une grand chose. II nous a trompe." 

Their tempers have been soured by their re- 
cent disappointment on the Main ; and not 
theirs alone ; there are Few indeed, who do not 
sincerely lament ever having had any thing to 
do with our humbug expedition, as it is now 
very properly called. You can have no idea 
to what a distressing situation we are reduced. 
Our stores can only hold out, even with the 
strictest economy but a short period ; the island 
affords but litde water and few supplies of anv 



* Four of these gentlemen joined us at Trinidad, and 
were commissioned afterwards at Cache. A publication 
of their names was deemed improper; some or all of them 
having trie ids in the Spanish provinces, who might be 
made to suffer on their account. 



kind ; we suffer the want in a great measure 
of almost every necessary ; and what readers 
it stiii worse, the moment must soon arrive, 
uhen this miserable island, drained by its hun- 
gry intruders of its present scanty stock, can 
supply no relief, even if Miranda had the means 
and inclination to make us comfortable. Of 
the former he pretends to be destitute ; and I 
much doubt whether he possesses the latter. 
Ue is at present certainly no example of the 
softening influence of adversity ; I believe ra* 
ther. a black chagrin has destroyed his sympa- 
thies with his followers* So that w r e exist, 
execute his orders, and form a guard to pro- 
tect him from the vengeance of the incensed 
Spaniards, no matter what we undergo ; we 
answer all that this renowned Miranda requires. 

His majesty's brig Ferret arrived here on 
the 15th, from Jamaica, and landed the gener- 
al's messenger. The result of the mission, 
though not publickly known, is as we expect- 
ed, unfavourable. Admiral Dacres and the 
governor of Jamaica replied to the application 
of Miranda, that they knew 7 nothing more of 
his expedition than what they learned from ru- 
iriour and the publick prints, that they had re- 
ceived no orders from administration to afford 



181 



it any aid, and had nothing more to give him 
but wishes of such success as his design mer- 
ited. 

The English ship Elephant of 74 guns is now 
at anchor her® ; it has been said that she is to 
join us ; but this is all a puff ; such as we are 
used to feed upon. The frigate Galatea and 
brig Express, both of which have been laying 
here some time, sailed on the 19th, and we shall 
probably not see them again. The British of- 
ficers are very averse to being attached to his 
excellency Don Francisco. They do not ap- 
pear to think they shall earn laurels or riches 
in his cause. The Elephant sailed yesterday 
for Jamaica, and the schooner Pickle, lately ar- 
rived here has sailed for England. By her the 
general has sent dispatches i and a number of 
intercepted letters, written by officers of the 
Spanish government describing the apprehen- 
sions of the government of Caraccas respecting 
Miranda. They were taken by the English 
sloop of war Osprey, whilst we were in pos- 
session of Coro, from the Spanish mail boat on 
her passage from La Guira to Cumana and 
Margaritta. 

It is reported that we are soon to quit this 
island. Wherever we go, we shall hardly 

R 



change for the worse. The inhabitants of this 
wretched place, to whom we have been a hea- 
vy burden will no doubt celebrate the day of 
our departure. 

Sept. 26th. I have seen our general for the 
first time these three weeks. Like the Grand 
Lama he is seldom visible, but to those select 
few who are so advanced in purity and wisdom 
as to be worthy to approach his august pre- 
sence. There was once a time when he was 
very accessible but that time has passed away; 
and it is not wonderful since he would see 
many an anxious and perturbed countenance, 
and hear perhaps too many complaints, if he 
allowed himself to be easily visited by his of- 
ficers. But though he may resemble the Grand 
Lama in being invisible to vulgar eyes, he 
does not resemble him in that divine tran- 
quillity and repose of soul, which distinguish- 
es the Thibetian object of worship. Of late, 
as you may think natural, he has commonly 
appeared very much occupied with unquiet 
thoughts. To day his aspect is unusually se- 
vere, heavy and desponding, as though he was 
" revolving the various fates of men below/" 
The other officers around him, seem to have 
received a stimulus, not of ehe agreeable kind. 



Armstrong's brows are knit together as if he 
apprehended dismissal, or had heard extreme- 
ly bad news — or it may be owing to the unru- 
ly workings of the bile, which his system gen- 
erates in dangerous abundance. Count de 
Rouvray takes shorter steps than he is wont 
and in a right line, backwards and forwards, 
neither looking to the right nor left, paying no 
attention to any who pass by him ; he appears 
entirely abstracted. Unless I am deceived he 
is digging out of his brains some " effectual 
expedients" to be formed by his excellency 
into " practicable plans.' 5 The forge in which 
our councils and measures are produced, is a 
complete manufactory of these articles. Count 
de Rouvray furnishes crude ore called " expe- 
dients," extracted from the deep cogitations 
of his mind. This is put into the general's 
smelting furnace, which is always kept hot and 
in readiness to bring on a fusion. The quarter 
master general blows the bellows of adulation, 
whilst the colonel of engineers, by opposition, 
sometimes furnishes coals in abundance to 
keep up the flame ; and again by the cold wa- 
ter of objections, damps and almost extinguish- 
es the fire. There are subordinate characters, 
whose business it is to do little jobs about the 



184 

forge, as " every individual in our army is rat- 
ed according to his merits and talents." I have 
observed that those who have neither are best 
off, if they did but know it ; never being call- 
ea upon in affairs of consequence, they are not 
in danger of his excellency's terrible frowns, 
rior liable to be intoxicated by his approbation, 
They have nothing to do, but to bite their 
nails and lament their insignificance in obscuri- 
ty. Col. Roorbach, who has more spirits, 
youth and vivacity than any man of his years 
in Christendom, appears in tolerable good hu- 
mour ; bilt still it is evident that all is not well 
within. There seems to be a general inquie- 
tude from his excellency to his most devoted 
valet. Those who have no state affairs to dis- 
turb their minds, have something else, equally 
important to them ; such as reflecting how 
they shall pay their bills in this place. I have 
seen but two landlords to day, who both look 
thoughtful and dull, undoubtedly from calcu- 
lating profit and loss. You will now ask, what 
can occasion this extraordinary perturbation of 
vour cabinet ; I know not,- unless it be the 
failure of a thing called the Curacoa scheme. 
Miranda has been trying to intrigue that island 
into his possession, An ambassador by the 



135 

name of P. who was sent there, has lately re- 
turned after an unsuccessful negotiation. The 
governor of Curacoa "knows no such man as 
gen. Miranda." What an ignorant man this 
governor must be S Surely our commander in 
chief is known from one end of the earth to the 
other ! The governor above alluded to, has 
the cruelty to declare that he cannot spare the 
island j**, that gen. Miranda must call again. 
What impudence to refuse so modest a request 
as our chief condescended to make— only to be 
admitted into the quiet possession of the island 
of Curacoa, and to take all the Spanish proper- 
ty as a reward for going there ! About six 
weeks ago his excellency commenced operat- 
ing upon a scheme, which he has had long in 
contemplation of possessing himself of Cura- 
coa. To bring this desirable object about, as 
he had not a sufficient force of his own, and as 
the English ships then at his disposal, were ei- 
ther not able or not willing to attempt an at- 
tack on that island, he resolved to try what di- 
plomatick skill would do ? For this purpose he 
employed a resident of Aruba, giving him in- 
structions to w r ait on the governor of Curacoa 
and to inform him that he should be paid a cer- 
tain sum of money, if the island surrendered 
r 2 



\ 186 

-on the appearance before it of a small English 
squadron, which should be forth coming as 
soon as he agreed to the terms stipulated in 
the instructions of Miranda's ambassador, of 
which the following is the tenor: viz. that in 
the event of a surrender, all the Spanish pro- 
perty should on the governor's receiving his 
douceur be put into the hands of Don Francis- 
co ; and the Dutch property to be put in pos- 
session of the British, who should conduct him 
to his new dominions. P. after being absent 
five weeks, and creating much anxiety by his 
delay, returned with an answer that the gover- 
nor of Curacoa knew no such man as Don 
.Francisco de Miranda, commander in chief of 
the Columbian armv ; and could therefore en- 
ter into no negociation on the subject of sell- 
ing his master's property and his own govern- 
ment. It is also reported, and generally cred- 
ited that P. was prevailed upon to sell Miran- 
da ; and that he went to La Guira where he 
made known the Don's intentions with regard 
to Curacoa and his future designs respecting 
the Spanish Main. To counteract the effects 
of this report however, the ambassador asserts 
that he was arrested the moment of his arrival 
in the inland and remained in duresse until just 



187 

before his departure. Whether this be true, 
or whether the charge of betraying his excel- 
lency be also true, certain it is that P. divulged 
his instructions on the very day he received 
them. He had two letters in his hands rela- 
tive to this business ; one written in French, 
signed, de Miranda, and the other in English, 
ned by his Columbian majesty's private se- 
cretary. The first^ contained his powers and 
instructions. The second was addressed to a. 
merchant of Curacoa, who was honoured with 
an invitation to assist P. if necessary in his 
negotiations, when he could bring matters to 
ai\ Both of these letters he exposed before 
took passage for the execution of his mis- 
sion, P. brought intelligence, on his return, 
that a number of Spaniards had crossed over 
from Curacoa to Aruba, with a design on the 
neck of our chief. One or two of the " virtu- 
ous people" of this place were put in irons, 
and closely imprisoned on suspicion of being 
privy to this black intent. A boat did actually 
come from the Main, with several armed men 
on board ; but a knowledge of it reaching head 
quarters in good season they were pursued, af- 
ter a few had landed, and fled without being 
overtaken. 



188 



LETTER XXII. 

New captain appointed to the Leander. — His ill 

conduct and cruelty to- the sailors, — Condition 
of the sick on board. — Miranda^s treatment of 
capt. Meade, commander of the brig Commo* 
dore Barry. — Soliloquy. 

Aruba, Sept. 25th, 1806. 

THOUGH our situation is necessarily 
bad, it is rendered worse than it need be by 
the ill management of Miranda and others to 
whom he delegates his power. In many con- 
cerns that relate to our enterprise, they appear 
to do every thins: but that which should be 
done. Indeed, so accustomed are we to their 
perverse and impolitick proceedings, that we 
are disappointed when they do any thing that 
is not preposterous, or is in a tolerable degree 
considerate. The commander of the Leander, 
Waldegrave, as I told you, having become 
sick and removed to the hospital, it was neces- 
sary his place should be supplied. As though 
Ave had not enough of unavoidable ills, with- 
out some voluntary additions, who should be 
selected for this place but a man as unfit as can 



189 



be conceived, neither soldier, sailor nor gen- 
tleman. Pufted up with his little brief autho- 
rity, he employs it in a manner, precisely the 
most offensive and tyrannical. The officers on 
board have been repeatedly the objects of his 
insolence ; and the men of his wanton cruelty. 
The former are so much tamed by their adver- 
sities, that they do not think of repelling his 
encroachments ; and the poor sailors, what can 
they do, but bend in silence under the lash of 
the low bred tyrant ? A few days ago he had 
a man tied to the gang way. ordering the boat- 
swain's mate to give him forty lashes ; a liber- 
ty with the rights of an individual and the 
rules of military and naval discipline for which 
as you recollect de B. was brought to answer 
before a court martial. An officer who hap- 
pened to be on board from the island, whilst 
this brute was gratifying his ears with the cries 
of the sailor under punishment drew his sword, 
and ordered the boatswain's mate to desist. 
This timely interference saved four or five 
more from the lash, who had been sentenced 
that morning to the gang w-ay, by this vile up- 
start. A number of the sick troops were some 
days ago put on board the Leander, now laying 
about two miles from the town. To these dis- 



190 

tressed creature's, this man shewed an infra* 
inanity which we should wonder to find in a 
cannibal Judge you of their condition to be 
at the mercy of a wretch who could answer the 
calls for relief, from those who were lingering 
under disease and want, frequency with curses ; 
and even refuse them wholesome water to al- 
lay their thirst when burning with fever. In- 
stead of sending on shore once a day for a 
sufficient quantity of fresh water for the whole 
ship's company including the sick, he procur- 
ed only a partial supply, and this he husband- 
ed and confined to the use of himself, his dog 
and a portion of the sailors with whom he 
was making a party, whilst he caused the 
sick to be served with wfcter that had been for 
some time on board, which was stale and 
sometimes putrified ; giving this brutal rea- 
son " that the well should be his care, in or- 
der to keep them so, as it was uncertain whe- 
ther the sick would live or die ; and if the 
latter happened, attention would.be lost upon 
them." This conduct was well known at 
head quarters, yet the wretch, who was guilty 
of it was continued in a situation, where he 
had both an opportunity to inflict gratuitous 
misery, and an inclination to use it that would 



mi 

disgrace a savage. Complaints after com- 
plaints, and representation after representation* 
respecting the behaviour of this fellow have 
been sent to Miranda without procuring re- 
dress and indeed without obtaining notice. 
Being placed in command at the instance of 
the quarter master general, and approved of 
by the general, he has no occasion to be scru- 
pulous about his duty, his treatment of others* 
nor his manners. — What motive is there to 
pay court to our superioiirs, if they will not 
bear us out in our viiianies, and we must be- 
have as well as if we rested on our charac- 
ter. Become a favourite, if you wish the lib- 
erty of being a domineering poltroon with im- 
punity* 

You will remember, mention has been made 
of our being attended to the Spanish Main by 
two merchant vessels ; the brig Commodore 
Barry and the schooner Trimmer, Capt, Ed- 
ward Meade commanded the first, and capt. 
Hancock the last. It is proper in this place 
to relate the conduct of Miranda towards the 
commander of the brig I shall take some 
other opportunity to speak of capt. Hancock's 
affair. Capt. Meade arrived from Philadelphia 
at Port of Spain with a cargo of flour some- 



192 



time before we sailed. The market being ve- - 
ry Iqw 3 he was tempted to listen to proposals 
for trying his chance on the Main, under the 
. U pices of Miranda ; with whom he made the 
following contract, signed by his quarter mas- 
tei general. 

Trinidad, July 23d, 1806. 
Don Francisco de Miranda, commander in 
chief of the Columbian Army : — I have this 
day agreed with and given permission to cap- 
tain Edward Meade, of the city of Philadel- 
phia, commanding the brig Commodore Bar- 
ry, to sail with, and under the protection of 
the naval force, engaged in my expedition to 
South America ; on the following terms : viz. 
captain Meade shall sail with the expedition, 
and shall not leave the squadron without my 
permission till a landing is effected in some 
part of South America. He shall then be per- 
mitted to sell his cargo to the people of the 
country, at the highest prices he can obtain, 
free of duty. It is understood that the com- 
mander in chief or the government of the coun- 
try shall have a preference of purchase, upon 
their allowing the same prices, as can be ob- 
tained from individuals. It is also agreed that 
captain Meade shall have liberty to proceed to 



193 



another market (not an enemy's port) provid- 
ed, the first attempt to effect a landing is not 
accomplished within six days* after the arrival 
of the squadron at the place of destination. It 
is understood that captain Meade shall have 
good dispatch in the disposal of his cargo ; and 
upon his embarkation for North America, he 
shall take an officer on board of his brig, bear- 
ing dispatches for the commander in chief, free 
of all expense and charges,' 5 

Although the landing was effected, there was 
no government and no people to be customers 
of captain Meade ; and he, finding that our ex- 
pedition did not succeed, and that it was use- 
less for him to remain there, requested the 
general to allow him to proceed, according to 
agreement, to another port. Miranda, after 
many importunities once answered, that he 
might go where he pleased. But when on our 



• The general extended this term to ten days, before the 
contract was signed by his quarter master general ; and 
though Miranda dictated the contract himself, he refused 
to place his own signature to it. Whether it was a motive 
of his prudence, or the effect of accident, is not easily de- 
termined ; but Miranda never used his own name, when 
that of another person would answer his purpose. 

s 



194 

evacuating La Vela de Core, Meade shaped 
his course for Curacoa % one of the men of war 
brigs fired several shot at him and compelled 
the Commodore Barry to join the squadron 
again. This compulsory measure was known 
to have resulted from the instructions of our 
chief, which were given previous to our depar- 
ture from La Vela de Coro % otherwise the 
American brig would not have been molested. 
She w 7 as forced to accompany us to Aruba ; 
and here has been embargoed during the whole 
time we have had possession of this island. 
When Meade expostulated against these pro- 
ceedings, the general said c, the law of nations 
justified the detention. " The law of neccessi- 
ty perhaps he might have said with more ex- 
actness. At the time Meade was embargoed, 
there was an apprehension that the English 
ships might abandon us on account of a disa- 
greement between Miranda and the British of- 
ficers. In this case we should have stood in 
peculiar need of the Commodore Barry's cargo 
of flour and provisions, as our supplies were 
nearly out. Indeed, from the time we fell in 
w 7 ith the Lily, after our defeat at Porto Cabel- 
lo, to the present time, the English vessels at- 
tached to the enterprise, have furnished almost 



195 



ali our supplies ; with the exception of a quan- 
tity of wine and flour, supplied by individuals 
of Trinidad ; who were so wise as to think a 
commission in the emancipator's army, a tick- 
et in fortune's lottery worth the risk of their 
property. 

Our parting from Aruba is considered as an 
abandonment of the expedition. One of our 
wits acquainted with scripture, has given me 
the following soiiliquy, which may well be 
said to breathe the sorrow and indignation of 
the defeated enthusiast, or ci-devant deliverer 
of South America . 

" Verily, verily I say unto you, inasmuch 
as ye have not hearkened unto my sayings and 
have been heedless of my revolutionary doc- 
trines, and have diregarded my proclamations, 
I will go oul from among a corrupt nation and 
a perverse people. — The time is nigh at hand 
when ye shall fail by the kings of your own 
choice and the idols whom ye have set up un- 
to yourselves ; nor will I rescue you from the 
bondage of your forefathers ; ye shall continue 
under the voke of the French and the Span- 
iards, unless the English deliver you ; and / 
will strive to harden the hearts of the English 
against you, that they may not listen to you in 



106 



the day of your great calamity and tribulation,: 
I will mock when your affliction cometh. Your 
enemies shall feed on the harvest of your fields, 
they shall riot in your dwellings and enjoy the 
labours of your hands. All this shall come up- 
on you, because ye have not known me\ and be- 
cause ye have not followed my precepts. Had 
ye not turned your backs upon me, I would 
have been your deliverance ; ye should have 
possessed an inheritance of democracy, which 
should have lasted till time was grey with years ; 
ye should have been my people, and I would 
have lived among you, and been your head to 
instruct and govern you in all things accord- 
ing to my own exalted principles of govern- 
ment, and your arm to defend you against 
everv foe ; but ve have not known me, even 
so, I have renounced you.'' 



LETTER XXIII. 



Departure from Aruba.— Miranda and suite 
embark in the Seine frigate.— Lieut, Dwyer, 
an English officer, takes command of the Le- 
ander. — Events during the passage.— Arrival 
at Grenada. 



<; Leander at sea, Sept. %Bih, 1806. 



ON the morning of the 27th, we left 
Aruba under convoy of his majesty's ship La 
Seine, commanded by capt. Atkins. We are 
bound to Trinidad, Grenada or Barbadoes, 
but which is not told. The Lily, Attentive 
and our gun boats got under weigh the day 
before, meaning to beat up along the Main to 
Trinidad, while we stand to the northward, for 
one of the islands mentioned. Gar officers and 
troops are distributed among the vessels lately 
employed in Miranda's enterprise. This dis- 
position of his forces confirms the supposition 
that he has given up his design. The general, 
Molini, his publick secretary, Mr. Smith, his 
aid-de-camp, and some other officers take their 

passage in the Seine Miranda very wisely 
s 2 



198 



selects a stronger and swifter vessel than the 
Leander. He has never sailed in her since we 
left Trinidad in July ; for she is obliged fre- 
quently to be taken in tow, and in case she 
should be abandoned to her chance, she might 
before long be found with the Don, in Guada- 
loupe or La Guira. Capt. Atkins hearing that 
the man appointed to command the Leander was 
not fitted for the post, sent lieut. Dwyer of the 
British navy, to supercede him ; and our cap- 
tain has dropped into the capacity of mate. 
The lieutenant soon grew impatient of him in 
this station ; for he had not been with us an 
hour before he discovered that the mate for- 
merly captain professed to be a seaman with- 
out any knowledge of seamenship — You know 
that true sailors are not very patient of those 
who they imagine intrude upon their calling. 
Dwyer soon availed himself of a circumstance 
by which he got rid of his mate. Having giv- 
en orders according to custom in armed ves- 
sels that the crew should be called to quarters 
at a particular hourj the mate, at 4 o'clock, 
the appointed time, ordered the drum to beat 
for this purpose. Either from ignorance or con- 
tumacy, he had not first observed the punctilio 
of reporting the hour, and hearing the pleasure 



199 

of the commander of the ship who was then 
in the cabin. Dwyer on hearing the signal 3 
asked the mate why he had ordered the drum 
to beat without notifying the hour to him ? 
He replied he was calling the men to quarters ; 
but after several interlocutions the commander 
tooh fire at the insolence of his me in or lan- 
guage, and made it a very serious business ; 
called for his dirk and threatened to hew him 
down if he uttered another word. Col. A. en- 
tered into a warm discussion with Dwyer up- 
on this exercise of power. The latter, how- 
ever, ordered the English ensign hoisted union 
downwards, as a signal for mutiny. An officer 
was sent from the Seine and the refractory 
mate conveyed on board. You may be sure 
we were not displeased to find impudence and 
ignorance deservedly punished. 

October \3th. When will this intolerable 
voyage come to an end ? How long before we 
shall have paid the forfeiture of our civism ? 
Our ship is so much crowded, there is scarce- 
ly room on deck to manage the vessel. Our 
provisions consist of some bad flour, which is 
chiefly used for making a clammy preparation, 
from its shape called a pudding, which taste- 
less as it is, is swallowed with avidity, as it 



200 



serves to fill the " aching void 5 ' of hungry 
stomachs ; add to this a small supply of refuse 
beef and damaged bread. Through the im- 
providence of our ci-devant captain, previous 
to sailing, the water is short and what we have 
bad ; and the rum worse. In provisions and 
rum, the crew are allowanced six to four, that 
is, the quantity usually given to four is divid- 
ed among six. Water is served out in less 
proportion. It is a common thing towards 
night to hear fifty persons complaining bitterly 
of thirst, and wishing in vain that they could 
•get a full draught of water; at the price of any 
thing in their possession. This ship has ne- 
ver, since the -early times of the expedition, a- 
bounded in conveniences, and by waste, wear 
and tear, the few k had are extremely reduced 
in number. 

The sick and wounded that were removed 
on board from the hospitals at Aruba, a few 
days before our departure, are the greatest suf- 
ferers by our want of necessaries and our bad 
accommodation. We are particularly inter- 
ested for tw'o young men, in the height of vio- 
lent fever ; for whom we have no cordials, nor 
scarcely medicines. One of them about nine- 
teen years of age and very amiable, is a Mr, 



201 



Burnett, who joined the enterprise at NeW 
York ; and has always kept free from the low 
excesses and dissipations that have marked the 
conduct of too many of our company ; when 
the opportunities of indulgence were afforded. 
We had little hope of his recovery * but appear- 
ances are now more favourable, 

A vogage at the best, is a severe trial of 
tempers* The monotony of the greatest part 
of the days, the want of incident and occupa- 
tion, and the necessity of being always togeth- 
er, dispose passengers, who have no stated du- 
ty on board, to be tired of themselves and each 
other and to abound in spleen. In our cir- 
cumstances, the common causes of uneasiness 
are aggravated by peculiar irritations. Hun- 
ger and thirst are no promoters of patience and 
good nature, even in philosophers and gentle- 
men ; still less in such an ignorant and undis- 
ciplined mob as we have to manage. Col. 
Armstrong who commands the land depart- 
ment, has enough to do to keep his people 
quiet. The great subject of contention and 
trouble is the eating and drinking; he has is- 
sued several orders, making arrangements in 
this important business — -owing to the small- 
! ness of our cabin, and the great number of of- 



seers on board, the latter are divided into three 
messes, who take possession of the table in 
succession. 

By this distribution the company is better 
assorted than it would be, if the cabin were 
large enough\o admit the whole to sit at the 
same time. But notwithstanding all the efforts 
of the quarter master general and his assistants, 
there is much discontent and confusion. Hard- 
ly a day passes that does not witness disputes 
and scoldings, which often terminate in arrests 
and confinements. The hungry dogs, who 
cannot help complaining, wear out the patience 
of their officer, of which he has indeed but a 
small stock ; and he gives them passionate re- 
primands, or sends them off deck under a show- 
er, of what in any other case would be called 
abuse,, with orders not to show themselves 
there again. Much precaution has been used 
against unckaniiness and disease. The In- 
dians, who are naturally inert and if they were 
not molested would be stretched on the deck 
for hours, basking in the sun, are soused over 
head and ears in a tub of water every day by 
way of stimulus and lavement under the eye 
and direction of our infantry adjutant. I do 
not know that any of the crawling tribe have 



203 



strayed so far from home as to be found on the 
dinner plate of the quarter master general ; like 
the temerarious little beast, whose impertinent 
visit awaked the wrath- of George the 3d. so 
irreverently sung and celebrated by that wick- 
ed satirist Peter Pindar. But an apprehension 
of a similar or worse disaster, I presume has 
led this officer to proclaim war upon, all the 
locks and curls of our non commissioned offi- 
cers and privates. The order of the 3d inst. 
directed that their iC hair" should be " cut 
uniformly short all round : L e. so short that a 
comb will lay between the head and scissars," 
which has accordingly been done ; and every 
man's head resembles a scrubbing brush. It 
went much against the feelings of many of them 
to be shaved in this manner, as they valued 
their flowing hair j but they could get no ex- 
emption from the indispensable regulation; in- 
deed the quarter master general thought it mer- 
ciful not to behead his redoubtables, Capt, 
Atkins has just afforded us a supply of provi- 
sions, our exigencies obliging us to become 
petitioners. CoL Smith has sent some refresh- 
ments for the sick ; so that we have fewer wry 
faces. The frigate Seine has had us in tow 
almost every hour since we left Aruba ; and as 



204 



she is a fast sailing ship, we have the hope of 
anchoring some where before long. 

Grenada, October 2 is/. After a passage of 
twenty five days we have reached this island ; 
where we only stay to take in water and pro- 
visions, if the low credit of our general and his 
expedition do not prevent, and then sail for 
Trinidad. 

October 22d. We have been more fortunate 
in getting supplies than we expected ; though 
we could only procure enough to last us to 
Port of Spain, Trinidad. The Seine sailed 
early this morning for Barbadoes with general 
Miranda and most of his suite on board. Be- 
fore they left the harbour our ship fired a sa- 
lute in compliment to capt. Atkins for his kind 
and careful attention to us. Our salute was 
duly honoured by the Seine. 

Lieut. Dwyer quitted the Leander the mo- 
ment she cast anchor, declaring he was never 
so 44 tired of a ship in his life and no won- 
der, for his command was a perpetual vexation. 
Duiing the passage he had several quarrels 
with the quarter-master general, who, he con- 
ceived, interfered with his duty. In these cas- 
es Dwyer treated this lordly personage with 
very little ceremony, and obliged him to sue- 



205 



ciimb not only to his reasonable claims, but I 
think sometimes to his whims and caprices. 
When Dwyer was not employed in settling his 
own disputes with the colonel he was defend- 
ing some of the officers or men from his rude- 
ness and violence. Mr. Armstrong's tyranny 
was enough in many instances to raise the in- 
dignation of the most indifferent by-stander, 
He obliged three officers, on very slight provo- 
cation, to remain upwards of two weeks of our 
last passage on the ship's forecastle, denying 
them the liberty of walking on the quarter deck 
or entering the cabin. Probably a number 
more would have been put under the like sort 
of interdict had not the British lieutenant used 
his ascendancy to prevent such an unauthoriz- 
ed and irregular use of pow 7 er. As soon as 
this officer gave up his place, the mate men- 
tioned before took the command under the 
patronage of his old friend A. and we are now 
at sea under convoy of his majesty's brig 
Grenada, affording the officers and crew of that 
vessel a perpetual source of diversion by the 
ridiculous manner in which this lubberly cap- 
tain manages the ship. 

Col. Kirkland, who has nearly recovered of 
his wounds, and captain Hancock are now at 

T 



206 



St. Georges (Grenada) waiting for a passage 
in a neutral vessel to Barbadoes. The former 
as agent for Miranda, and by his express di- 
rection chartered the schooner Trimmer of the 
latter to accompany us in our expedition. 
Hancock called upon the general the day before 
yesterday to inquire whether he should be dis- 
charged and paid agreeable to the stipulations 
of the charter party. His excellency professed 
to know nothing about the business ; and with a 
rudeness of which he is very capable, refused, 
both to the agent and owner, either to dis- 
charge the vessel or pay the hire. This induc- 
ed the parties concerned to follow him to Bar- 
badoes, with a view to bring him to 3 settle- 
ment, lest (in his mind) some important object 
should call him suddenly to England, leaving 
them in the lurch. 

It should appear that Miranda is convinced 
of the death of his schemes ; and that he will 
be no longer assisted by admiral Cochrane. 
Capt. Atkins is I presume instructed to take 
his charge to a place of safety and there leave 
him to himself. 



207 



LETTER XXIV. 

Arrival at Trinidad.— -Trimmer concern.— Re- 
ception of Miranda and his followers at Port 
of Spain. — Straits of the people . 

Port of Spain) Trinidad, Oct, 29, 1806. 

LAUS DEO ! my good friend, my feet 
are once more on land ; we arrived here yes- 
terday evening. On the passage we were in a 
constant state of apprehension lest some acci- 
dent should befal the ship, from the ignorance 
of the man who had her in charge. His perti- 
nacious patron now finds and acknowledges his 
favourite is no sailor. We were several times 
in imminent danger of losing our masts ; and 
nigh falling to leeward of our port. After a 
heavy squally in which there was much mis- 
management and confusion, the quarter master 
general in a fit of passion and distress (for he 
was alarmed lest the ship should upset) declar- 
ed that he would " shoot the first man or offi- 
cer, be he whom he might, that did not per- 
form his duty with promptness and dispatch !" 
and that in future he c; would carry a brace of 
charged pistols for that express purpose." Bui 



208 



notwithstanding all this, and his own admission 
of the inability of his favourite, he still con- 
tinues him in office ; for what reason heaven 
and himself only know ; for 1 do not believe 
our blundering captain is as yet let into the 
secret. 

I, with several others have left the ship : and 
sincerely hope, never to put my foot on her 
decks again ; at least, I am resolved not to re- 
side on board while she is in port, as many 
other officers are required to do. They are 
fools enough to submit to such an order, 
though the quarter master general, in the pre- 
sent state of , our affairs has no more real au- 
thority over them, than I have over the clouds. 

N either the Lily nor any of the vessels which 
accompanied us to the Main have arrived ; nor 
have they l)een heard of. 

Nov. 8th, One of his Britannick majesty's 
mail boats arrived last evening from Barba" 
does, on board of which, as passengers, were 
col, Kirklandand capt. Hancock, who mention 
that " Miranda may be expected to-morrow, 
as he left Carlisle bay in the English sloop of 
war Melville, the day before the mail boat." 
Their object in going to Barbadoes, as I men- 
tioned in my last, w r as to effect a settlement of 



209 

Hancock's demand for the services of tlie 
schooner Trimmer. They arrived at Bridge- 
town on the morning of Saturday, the 2d of 
November. The Seine, on board of which was 
the general, had anchored in the harbour the 
previous evening. Miranda's secretary had 
engaged lodgings on shore at the publick house 
which his excellency had occupied when at 
Barbadoes, in June last ; but hearing that Han- 
cock had arrived, he altered his plan and sought 
shelter and protection in the admiral's ship, the 
Northumberland. The attorney general of the 
colony was consulted by the owner and the 
captain. He 'gave his opinion that the amount 
expressed in the charter party was recoverable 
against Miranda and the agent also, unless the 
latter could prove that he acted in the transac- 
tion by a delegated authority , which Miranda 
had denied ; intending by this artifice and eva- 
sion to elude payment. Every reasonable mea- 
sure was attempted to bring about an adjust- 
ment. The agent requested Miranda's private 
secretary to interpose ; he declined, saying 
i < that the general was already so much soured 
upon this and other affairs that he feared to ad- 
dress him on the subject," The joint owner 

with Hancock, Mr. R, T applied to ad- 

t 2 



210 



miral Cochrane^ for liberty to send a sheriff's 
officer on board to seize the body of Don 
Francisco. This being repugnant to the prin- 
ciples of hospitality, could not be granted by 
the admiral, while Miranda was a guest on 
board his ship. It appeared, however, that the 
laws of the colony would not permit the ser- 
vice of a writ on the body of any person not 
on shore* The sheriff was not vested, as in 
the city of London, with the silver oar. by the 
magick or real power of which he is enabled 
to seize the body of any person on ship-board, 
or on the water. The agent wrote several let- 
ters to gen. M. urging the necessity of making 
terms with these creditors, that disgrace and 
mischief would follow neglect and inattention, 
that they had a right to civil treatment at least ; 
but to be told, when their vessel had been four 
months in actual service, and obedient to eve- 
ry command of the general that "he knew 
nothing of the captain, schooner or agent" 
was closing the door of amicable adjustment, 
and an extension of time for payment to which 
they had offered to assent. The owners finally 
proposed to trust for payment to Miranda's 
future success, in his views on the Spanish 
colonies, provided he would formally acknowl- 



■211 

edge the validity and amount of their demand, 
Miranda, calculating on throwing all the res- 
ponsibility on his agent, or expecting, as he 
said, to be secure from all legal process at Trin- 
idad, whither he meant to repair 5 would hold 
no communication with any person upon the 
subject ; but remained on board the admiral's 
ship till the evening previous to his departure^ 
when he was removed to the Melville sloop of 
war, in which he is hourly expected at this 
port.* 

* The following affidavit and remarks relate to the state- 
ment in the text. 

I, John Hancock, of the Island of Barbadoes, do sol- 
emnly swear upon the Holy Evangelists oi Almighty God, 
that on, or about the 1 7th of June last, I contracted with 
George W. Kirkiand, an oflicer in the expedition com- 
manded by general Fran : de Miranda, and acting as agent 
in this business, for the said general, for the employment 
of a schooner, called the Trimmer, according to the terms 
and stipulations contained in the sa ; d ( ontract. I further 
declare, that Thomas Sandford, said to be from the Unit- 
ed States of North America, did apply to me for employ- 
ment of the said. schooner, at fifty dollars per day— -that h£ 
did put arms, 8c g. on board the schooner Trimmer, for 
general Miranda, pursuant to a contract which he (general 
Miranda) made with the said Sandford and Joseph Bush, 
. by his agent, George W. Kirkland, as I was then told, and 
have since learned to be a fact. Sometime in the month 



212 



When Miranda arrived at Port of Spain tire 
persons above mentioned proceeded to obtain 
justice by legal process. Hancock petitioned 
governor Hislop, who submitted his case to the 
judge of the colony, by whose consent process 



i}f July last, at Trinidad, or as I now recollect and believe 
about the 20th.. I called upon general Miranda to fulfil the 
latter part of the said contract (added under an n. b.) oblig- 
ing him to give security for the employment of this schoon- 
er before her departure from Trinidad. The said general 
refused to give this security, saying, "that he did not agree 
to that part of the contract/' I was also informed by his 
secretaries, Messrs. Fitzwiliiam and Moltni, that the gen- 
eral (Miranda) acknowledged, or had no objection to any- 
other part of the body of the agreement; but that he would 
make no payment, nor give any security, before his arri- 
val on the Spanish Main. I therefore dispensed with his 
giving the security ; and was then receiving, and have 
been ever since receiving and obeying his (general Mi- 
randa's) orders, until the 2 1st of October through colonel 
Armstrong, his quarter master general, and ether officers, 
receiving on board troops and arms, debarking the same, 
Sec. Upon the arrival of general Miranda at Grenada, on 
the 21st of October, having left Aruba on the 26th of Sep- 
tember, I waited on him, on board the frigate La Seine. 
I asked him " what I should do with my schooner Trim- 
mer, and whether any arrangement for a settlement could 
be made," General Miranda replied, " I know nothing 
about your schooner Trimmer, Mr. Hancock. You may 



213 



was ordered. A trial was had on the 20th of 
January, 1807. It appeared on this trial, by 
the affidavit of Mr. Thomas Sanford, that Mi- 
randa did in the most explicit manner author- 
ize Kirkland to contract for the schooner in 



go where you please, and do what you please with your 
schooner. Have you any thing to shew and prove that I 
employed your schooner Trimmer V 9 I answered, "that 
I had not his (general Miranda**) obligation hut that I had 
the hand writing of his agent, which was as good." Who 
is that agent ? said general Miranda, « coL Kirkland/ 5 I re- 
plied. Then said general Miranda, let eol Kirkland come 
for ward and shew what authority he had to make such a 
a contract. I kikrw nothing about your Setfdofier Trimmer^ 
and have nothing to do with her." Some other conversa- 
tion to the same import passed between us, when I retired 1 

JOHN HANCOCK. 
Sworn to before me this 27th day of November, 1806. 

CHAS. S. MIDDLETON. 
After the captain had met the repulse mentioned in the 
affidavit, the agent who sailed in the Leander, thought it ne- 
cessary to pay his excellency a visit on board the Seine. 
His account of this interview is thus related. " Upon stat- 
ing the object of my visit, Miranda observed, 'that he had 
talked enough about that business at Trinidad, and he wish- 
ed to say no more about it.' I replied, * we shall be oblig- 
ed to talk more about it sir and come to a settlement ; and 
as I an) not wanted on board of the Leander, I wibh for per- 
mission to go to Barbadoes, for the purpose of making such 



^14 



his behalf, anct consequently that he was ex®~ 
nerated from any further responsibility. San- 
ford testified, that Miranda had applied to him 
to charter the schooner, that he requested and 
urged him to assist Kirkland, who was his 



arrangements, as will exonerate me from a responsibility, 
tinder which, by mistake, it seems I am unfortunately 
ho'den. Do you vvrsh, sir, that I should be persecuted, 
embarrassed and distressed in consequence of an obligation 
incurred expressly for your benefit ? Let me appeal to the 
honourable sentiments of your heart, whether it would be 
just that I should suffer for engagements contracted for 
your expedition and by your order ?' * No* said Miranda, 
1 but if you will go to Barbadoes and attend to contracts and 
commercial affairs, you cannot attend to your military du- 
ty.' After some further conversation, in which the gener- 
al evinced, if possible, as little regard to the rules of ur- 
banity and good breeding, as for the principles of common 
honesty, I obtained leave to go, in such vessel as I could 
.find, and also permission to be accompanied by one or bath 
of the officers who had been witnesses to the contract, with 
a view to have their testimony in proof of my agency. On 
returning I notified lieut. B. of the general's permission. 
He went on shore prepared to accompany me ; the next 
morning he received an order to return on board the Lean- 
der. Upon explanation with Armstrong, then acting as 
chef d'Etat major, I was told that soon after the permission 
above was given, he was instructed by Miianc'a not to suf- 
fer lieut. B. nor any other person to leave the Leander but 



215 



agent, in completing the contract, and that 
they were authorized to give sixty dollars per 
day, whereas it was engaged at fifty dollars. 
In the course of the trial Mr, Fitzwilliam tes- 
tified, that, before Hancock sailed, he, as se- 
cretary of Miranda, assured him that his pay 
would depend on the success of the expedi- 
tion. As Hancock proceeded with the char- 
ter party in his possession and a counterpart 
in the hands of the general, which stipulated 
that he should have fifty dollars per day with* 
out any condition annexed, or any intimation 
of such a connexion with the event of the en- 
terprize, he alleged that his demand ought to 
be sustained. But the court paying more le- 
spect to the parole evidence of Fitzwilliam 



myself. By this scandalous inhibition, he undoubtedly 
expected to deprive me of the evidence which would be ne- 
cessary to prove that I had acted under his authority in this 
business. For the same reason I conclude that he told me 
I k could not have a passage in the Seine,* thinking to de- 
lay or defeat my arrival at Barbadoes f But from what I 
have learned and experienced of this man, aside from the 
effrontery and baseness with which he has violated tfiith in 
denying my authorised agency in this affair, I am prepared 
to expect any degree of injustice, where he has a motive 
and can promise himself impunity/ 1 



216 



than to the letter of the contract, and refusing - 
to hear other testimony which Hancock's coun- 
sel wished to introduce, decided that the per* 
sobs concerned must wait for the issue of fur- 
ther attempts on the Spanish Main, for pay- 
ment. 

Trinidad, November 26th. 1806. 
We have been here upwards of three weeks ? 
and I believe are generally satisfied that noth. 
ing more will be done. The moment the Le- 
ander arrived, the officers and men who joined 
Miranda here left the ship and returned to their 
respective homes. Several officers and three 
or four sailors who were exceedingly ill of fe- 
ver, lest they should infect the ship, were 
brought privately on shore. They were laid 
without beds or covering on the floor of a 
room, ill secured against the weather, in an ob- 
scure part of the town, and were destitute of 
every convenience and comfort except what 
the inhabitants gave in charity or some of their 
officers procured at their own responsibility. 
It was distressing indeed to be sick at this 
time, when on account of the disrepute of the 
expedition, few people thought the lives or 
comfort of Mirandonians worthy of much regard ; 
and Miranda had neither money nor credit. A 



2 17 

Mr. Joseph Robinson, who joined the service 
at Barbadoes, fell a victim to the fever in 
ten days after his arrival, and also one of the 
sailors named Haves. There was considera- 
ble difficulty in getting these men buried, for 
want of money to buy coffins. Hayes was 
thrown into the earth without one. After much 
delay and trouble, Robinson was interred in a 
coffin and in the usual manner, by means of a 
subscription raised among the officers ; who 
indeed many of them could hardly keep them- 
selves from being objects of the same posthu- 
mous kindness, which thev had occasion to 
bestow. 

Our reception and treatment in this island 
are naturally very different from what we exper- 
ienced, whf*n we were here before. At that 
time, notwithstanding the influence of a nume- 
rous French and Spanish party, opposed to our 
scheme, of course, the governor espoused it ; 
knowing that it had received encouragement 
from higher authorities than himself. The 
government house was given to Miranda for 
his residence ; and took the name of head 
quarters. The governor and officers, civil 
and military paid him the respe :t which cor- 
responded to the rank he claimed. He re- 
U 



218 



ceived many visits, and his design many good 
wishes and benedictions from merchants and 
others, though after some time, as we delayed 
long, there were signs of distrust ; and the pop- 
ularity of our project was not sufficient to pro- 
cure any considerable quantity of supplies or 
number of men without money. The means 
which were presented to Miranda, by the offer 
of merchants already mentioned, he thought 
proper to reject. 

The tables are now changed. We are 
treated with infinite contempt as a body ; 
though many individuals, who in other circum- 
stances, would be entitled to respect, have 
friends who spare them. It was with difficul- 
ty, when we first arrived, after our abandonment 
of the Spanish Main, that the officers could get 
lodgings on shore. We are suspected of plun- 
der ; though the tattered appearance of many 
and the miserable looks of others ought in all 
reason to do away such a suspicion. We us- 
ed to be distinguished by the sounding names 
of Columbians, Mirandonians- — now we are 
called adventurers, merry andrews, Sec. We are 
laughed at and scoffed by the very populace in 
the streets. 

At about ten o'clock on the morning of 



219 

the 9th the Melville sloop of war appeared 
in the offing A report soon reached town 
that Miranda was on board. A committee, ap- 
pointed by the merchtmts, assembled for that pur- 
pose, waited on governor Hislop, requesting him 
to prohibit Miranda's landing. His excellency, 
having listened to their representations, desired 
from them a written memorial, upon which he 
promised to ask the opinion of his council » 
Soon after the committee had retired, and pre r 
vious to the sitting of the council, Miranda's 
chief d'Etat major, presented himself to the go- 
vernor in favour of his master. General Hislop 
observed that he was very awkwardly situated; 
that the merchants in a body had called for his 
interference, " The commerce 5 ' said he " of 
the island is nearly destroyed — the articles of 
life, for which we are dependent on the Main, 
from the almost total suspension of intercourse, 
have increased in many instances from fifty to 
one hundred per cent. Even the Spanish 
launches have fled from the port this morning, 
with their money instead of goods, as they are 
liable to be punished with death by their own 
government, if they are known to have been 
here during Miranda's residence on the island 
he said <; he had requested the merchants to 



220 



make a memorial, which he should present to 
the council, and should be guided by their deci- 
sion." — Some further private conversation 
passed between them, when our generals soli- 
citor retired. Miranda, however, stole a 
march upon the governor, memorialists and 
council. — While the latter were assembling, 
this hero of revolutions had landed with his 
suite, and to the surprise and probably vexa- 
tion of those who were endeavoring to effect 
his exclusion, presented himself to the gover- 
nor in the council chamber. It is said that 
Miranda had received some intimation of this 
business, which hastened his landing. It is al- 
so reported that the captain of the Melville had 
received intelligence of it and therefore de- 
termined in conformity to his orders, to put 
him on shore, whatever might be his fate af- 
terwards. These rumors are not improbable, 
as he was rowed to the shore> before the ship 
had come within six miles of the wharf. 

The governor and council held their seance. 
The result of their deliberations w r as in sub- 
stance ; that to interdict the temporary resi- 
dence of Miranda on the island, w^ould be re- 
pugnant to those principles of hospitality, which 
should possess the breast of every Englishman. 



221 



But they assured the memorialists, that no ar- 
mament, naval or military, should be fitted out 
in that port, under the directions of Miranda, 
except in pursuance of positive orders from the 
court of St. James. 

The memorial mentioned above gives a de- 
tail of the injuries alleged to be sustained by 
the mercantile interests of this island since, to 
cite its own words, " the admission of Miran- 
da, the wandering adventurer and his associ- 
ates."* It proclaims in pressing language the 
general scarcity of money, the total want of cus- 
tom, the perishing of goods, the embargo of 
Spanish launches, and the increased and still in- 
creasing price of provisions ; which I am told, 
have risen ! 00 per cent on some articles and in 
a greater proportion on others, since the arrival 
of our general. If all this be true, they have great 
reason to complain ; and I have no doubt it is ; 
for the merchants, the French and Spanish in 
particular, are constantly sending away their 



*The words and his associates were afterwards erased by 
the committee who drafted the memorial, out of respect to 
the feelings of some of Miranda's officers, whom it would 
have been unjust to blame for evils of which he was \hq 
cause* 

U2 



money, or hoarding it up. The launches, 
which formerly supplied mules and cattle from 
the Main, have ceased to visit the island ; and 
there appears to be an entire stagnation of bu- 
siness. All this is charged to Miranda, and to 
the island having been so long the seat of 
his operations. The Spanish launches, of which 
I have just spoken, are licensed boats, that 
trade between the Main and this island. Not- 
withstanding the war, both parties have so 
much interest in continuing their commercial 
intercourse, that it is permitted on certain 
terms. The Spaniards are in need of various 
articles of English merchandize, and the plan- 
tations of Trinidad cannot exist without regu- 
lar supplies of mules to work their mills and 
fresh provisions for the inhabitants. These 
launches in July last were embargoed about 
three weeks at the request of Miranda, that 
they might not carry information of our pre- 
parations for landing in their country. This 
measure occasioned so much inconvenience 
and was so unpopular, that the governor was 
obliged to take it off several days before our 
departure. Its continuance was equally unne* 
cessary and oppressive. It was first imposed 
to conceal the knowledge of Miranda's arrival 



22S 



g.nd preparations. Bat from the contiguity of 
this island to the Spanish Main, and the facility 
with which boats might row out of the harbour 
in the night, added to the inveteracy of many 
of the inhabitants against the expedition, the 
governor of Caraccas received intelligence of 
our being here on the 1st of July, when we had 
only anchored in the gulf on the 24th of June. 
When this embargo was raised Miranda had 
the address to take to himself the merit of pro- 
curing, or encouraging the repeal. The mas- 
ters and owners of these launches were assem- 
bled at the government house ; Miranda en- 
deavoured to inspire them with a belief that he 
interceded with the governor to release their 
boats, and that his views were so honourable, 
that he was willing his countrymen should 
know what he was doing. 

By the request of the governor, our uniforms 
were immediately thrown aside, and those who 
could procure them have substituted citizen's 
apparel in their stead. Every military badge 
is kept out of view ; and those, who could not 
obtain new garments, remained in their shirt 
sleeves until the capes and cuffs were alter- 
ed, cut off, or concealed by some colour less 
pffeusive to Spanish loyalty, than the revolt*- 



224 

ti'onary yellow and blue. Our general found 
an asylum from danger and fatigue, not indeed 
in the government house, as in more auspicious 
times, but under the roof of a lieutenant Briar- 
ly of the British navy. Here he continued 
some days, and then retired to a plantation be- 
longing to admiral Cochrane twelve or fourteen 
miles from town, where he is now reposing at 
ease after the perplexities and cares of his a- 
bortive attempt at revolution. 

The difficulty of burying our comrades is e- 
mough to shew you the scanty means or the av- 
aricious disposition of Miranda. W hen asked 
for money for the relief of the sick or to bury the 
dead, he said he had none, and was indebted to his 
friends here for his subsistence. A reply of the 
sam e tenor has almost invariably been made from 
the first to all our applications for pay, accom- 
panied sometimes with encouragement that it 
should be forth coming soon ; or that he ex. 
pected to be in funds at this or that place. It 
was said that he had a considerable private 
fund ; but none of his people could expect to 
receive their wages out of this treasure, which, 
if he had, he probably kept as a resource in case 
of extreme exigency. But they might expect 
that he would spare a little to individual peiuw 



225 



if and distress among the troops, or at least 
do his part in a subscription for the relief of 
those who had been crippled or broken down 
in his service. 

Whether he had pecuniary resources or not, 
it has made little difference to us, since we 
have been left to live as we could— except 
twenty dollars, paid at Barbadoes to those who 
w r ould accept it, and ten at Trinidad* Beyond 
this, we have always been obliged to support 
ourselves^ saving, w r hen on board ship, we re- 
ceived our proportion of the stores provided for 
the sailors and troops ; and at Aruba we were 
not restricted in the use of wild goat flesh. 
The following narrative comes in place as af- 
fording a specimen of our situation and of 
the management of our leader. 

In May and June last, at Grenada and Barba- 
does, we were told that money would be had 
at Trinidad, When the troops were about 
embarking for the Main, after having remained 
several weeks at Trinidad, there was pressing 
occasion for this money, for the purpose of 
paying their debts. It was impossible for of- 
ficers and others to be there without contract- 
ing a boarding and lodging bill, and it was dif 
ficult to appear decent and gentlemanly, with* 



226 



out employing tailors, shoemakers, barbers and 
washers, all of whom would of course pre- 
sent themselves to us on the eve of de- 
parture. Nothing could be more unacceptable 
than these visits and cards of creditors, to those 
who were destitute of the means of payment. 
It had been confidently expected that some- 
thing would have been afforded by Miranda ; 
at least enough to defray necessary expenses at 
this place. One ground for this expectation, 
besides the general encouragement which had 
been given, was the positive assurance of the 
deputy quarter master general Roorbach, who 
declared in the name of the general, that every 
member of the expedition should receive his 
arrearages. He also declared to the most im- 
portant creditor, that his bill should be paid. 
The amount of what was done in compliance 
with those promises and pledges was an offer 
of Miranda to pay one third of a boarding ac- 
count of about twelve hundred dollars — which 
an American resident had against a number of 
commissioned officers. 

Thi3 gentleman had shewn himself a great 
friend to Miranda's enterprise, and to his fol- 
lowers in their necessities. The creditor of 
course refused to accept so small a part of his 



227 



demand, so long as no provision or even ac- 
knowledgement was made for the balance. 

The officers, extremely chagrined at being 
thus situated, met and agreed to send in form 
a respectful letter to Miranda, stating their 
embarrassments ; and their former hopes of 
being enabled to answer their demands ; and 
requesting his excellency to assist them to 
discharge their debts, as it was impossible they 
could leave the island honorably whilst their 
accounts remained unpaid. This letter was 
handed to the general by an officer in behalf 
of the subscribers. His excellency gave a 
verbal answer in the following words ; 4 ' That 
if the officers could not quit the island without 
paying their debts, they must remain there ; — 
that they had no right to contract such obliga. 
tions and expect him to discharge them ; and 
that he could easily dispense with those 
who could not accompany him on account - 
of their debts." Several officers signing the 
letter, not very well satisfied with his answer, 
took the liberty of waiting on his excellency 
at head quarters ; but they received no better 
treatment on personal application than had 
been obtained by letter. Upon the failure of 
all attempts to get pay , one of these officers, a 



22S 



surgeon, proposed to resign his commission, 
as he would much rather stay in the island, than 
go away in debt. 

In thus repelling the requests of his officers, 
M. seems to have forgotten that they were reg- 
ularly on shore to execute duties in obedience 
to his orders ; and he remembered to forget, that 
he had promised their expenses should be paid. 
The next day after the application, he offered 
to pay one third of their debts, ashas been stated, 
observing " that by the Spanish laws which 
govern this island no soldier is obliged to pay 
more than that proportion, and that is enough." 
But though his excellency had the day before 
said he could dispense with those who were too 
scrupulous to accompany him, he did not choose 
to permit any examples of this scrupulosity, 
lest it might prove contagious. To settle their 
doubts and at the same time to secure their ser- 
vices, hejhit upon the following expedient to com- 
pel all the officers who came with him to Port of 
Spain to leave it at the general embarkation. 
He procured the following letter to be sent 
from the governor to the officer who had re- 
quested permission to resign. 

Government House , July 23 J, 1806. 

" Sir, — I am directed by his excellency the 



229 



governor to inform you, that as you came here 
with general Miranda, engaged with him on 
the service he meditates ; and as you, or any 
other individual have no permission to reside 
here ; it is his positive order that you immedi- 
ately embark on board the vessel which brought 
you here. The officers of police have direc- 
tions to enforce this order rigidly. 
" I am sir, 

your most obedient, 

humble servant, 
(Signed) THO. WALKER, 

Jet. Sec'ry. 
You observe that the principle of this pro- 
hibtion extended to all who came here with 
Miranda ; and if any other had proposed to 
resign, he would probably have been greeted 
with the same letter. As a proof of this, the 
provost marshall of the colony, was ordered by 
the governor to wait on the commandant of 
the North American infanty, and request him 
to see all his men and officers on board ship 
previous to our sailing* By this cunning ex- 
pedient our chief saved himself from the ne- 
cessitity of helping his officers to pay their 
debts ; and at the same time put it out of their 

power to leave his service. It is not probable 
w 



^50 



that many would have been disposed to do so 
at that time, when it bore a promising appear- 
ance. Governor rlislop would not have trou- 
bled himself to issue such an order but at the 
instigation of Miranda ; nor then if the real de- 
sign had been explained. It is certain the go- 
vernor was made to believe, that the officers 
had been guilty of some misbehaviour. I am 
led to this opinion by the knowledge, that the 
laws of this island require every person to pay 
his debts, or give security for the same on leav- 
ing the place ; also from the consideration that 
on our return, though many are in a state of 
starvation, and American vessels are willing to 
take them away, no one is permitted to depart 
without conforming to this legal usage. 

LETTER XXV. 

Disposition of the British commanders.— Mis- 
sion to England. — Process against Leander. 
—Dispersion of officers and men, — Fate of 
the f risoners. — Intercepted letters. — Intelli- 
gence from de Rouvray. — Characters, 

Port of Spain, Trinidad, Nov. 30, 1806. 
IT is now well ascertained that the Bri- 
tish commanders in the West Indies will give 



231 



no more aid to Miranda without advices and 
orders from government at home. What ad- 
miral Cochrane has done hitherto is said to 
have been passed over if not approved. His 
friends here were alarmed lest it should expose 
him to censure. But the purity of his inten- 
tions being unquestionable, it was probably 
considered that his general authority to molest 
and destroy the enemy of his Britannick ma- 
jesty might justify the partial encouragement, 
which he gave to our design. Also, the sense 
of the British government was expressed at 
the time they had received news that we had 
obtained a footing on the Spanish Main ami 
were expected to do -great things. Since the 
ckieftain has appeared a castle builder, with- 
out system or efficiency, without foresight or 
promptitude, the admiral is beyond a doubt 
heartily sick of being associated with his plans. 
He would be glad to forget the past and never 
hear the name of the revolutionist again. Ve- 
ry far will he be from any further engagements 
in this business. He thinks himself fortunate 
' in not being saddled with the expense of it and 
made to fear for his command. He perhaps is 
sensible that he had occasion for his well earn- 
ed credit with his government and his respect* 



232 



able name to screen him from unpleasant ani- 
madversions or proceedings of administration. 
One circumstance, amidst others, gave him 
just dissatisfaction and might have caused him 
trouble. When we left Trinidad, it was sup- 
posed we should not, in choosing the place for 
landing, pass the limits of his cruising ground. 
But Miranda for certain reasons shaped his 
course for Coro, which carried him into the 
limits of admiral Dacres' station. It was 
through the good understanding only that ex- 
isted between these admirals that this trespass of 
the squadron under the direction of our leader 
did not occasion difficulty and contest. 

Miranda, calculating on the supposed prin- 
ciples of the present administration, or encou- 
raged by speeiSck information, has dispatched 
an ambassador to the court of St. James. Many 
are asking themselves whether it is advisable 
to cling to the wreck of the expedition till the 
result is known. It is hoped the minister will 
have as much success in recommending himself 
at this court, by good sense and dignity in se- 
rious negotiation as he has had by flattery and 
compliance at our head quarters. C i Brutus is 
an honourable man" — He is neither more nor 
less than he told a lady he was at Coro, who en-" 



quired if he was not formerly from St. Domingo 
- — " I am madam, Gaston count de Ron v ray !" 

February 24tfi> I am near the end of my 
eventful story. Soon after the Leanuev arriv- 
ed here the sailors went in a body to the house 
of the governor and represented to him that 
they were hungry and naked and wished his 
interference to enable them to obtain their wa- 
ges. The ship had no stores and they no em- 
ployment. They would be satisfied, they de- 
clared, if they could receive such a portion of 
their dues as would be sufficient to help them 
back to their own country. Upon being in- 
formed that thev were sailors and not soldiers 
he assured them he would attend to their situ- 
ation and see it redressed. They waited for 
some time and endeavoured to settle their ac- 
counts w ith Miranda, and the ship's agent. At 
length they applied again to the governor, who 
directed them to put their grievances into the 
form of a petition. A statement was made of 
their situation and signed by thirty three, the 
whole number that remained of two hundred 
and sixty shipped from America. The others 
had disappeared by capture, desertion, impress- 
ment, imprisonment and death. This petition 

expressed that they had been shipped aboard 
w 2 



£34 

the Leander at New- York, as seamen for a 
voyage to Jacquemel or other ports in St. Do- 
mingo, and back ? were taken with her from 
port to port and made to perform various ser- 
vices by sea and land, for which they consider- 
ed she was answerable. By consent of the 
governor their petition was referred to the judge 
of admiralty, legal process was had and a libel 
issued according to law. By the management 
of Miranda, the course of justice was arrested 
and no provision made for the suffering men. 
He pretended to consider the measures for a 
process as highly improper. As however it 
was insisted that the men had a remedy in the 
ship, he stayed the process by declaring to the 
governor upon his honor, that he expected re- 
mittances by the next packet from England. 
This delusive pledge was repeated from month 
to month and answered the purpose of protract- 
ing or defeating a legal decision. In the mean 
time various arts and pretexts were employed 
%o reduce die number of claimants to the ship. 
Some had obtained permission to go on shore 
for work. Their availing themselves of this 
permission was afterwards pretended by Miran- 
da to be a forfeiture of their claim to wages. 
Thus if they remained on board, they run the 



235 

hazard of starvation, if on shore, even with per- 
mission, they were to be deprived of their in- 
terest in the ship, Groundless charges of in- 
subordination were brought against others, who 
at the instance of Miranda were either confin- 
ed, or pressed on board British ships of war. 
Those officers who interposed in behalf of these 
unfortunate men, and endeavoured to procure 
them justice, were represented as promoters 
of discontent and insubordination. Individuals 
of these officers, involved themselves in pecu- 
niary straits, to save them from distress. The 
general was not content with his attempts to 
defeat their exertions for the relief of his own 
people, but endeavoured by false colouring ; 
calling their justice and humanity disobedience 
and misrule, to produce misunderstanding, col- 
lision and embarrassment between those gen- 
tlemen and the government here. The gener- 
al is in the habit of making every thing bend 
to his purposes. What was the life, health and 
property of these people weighed against his 
desire to save his ship as long as possible ? 
During the time, he has been greeted with 
many and various applications from his follow- 
ers, resulting from their wants and uncertain 
situation ; some of them he has answered by 



236 



commanding silence and acquiescence towards 
their general, others by dismissal from service 
as it is culled. The letters* in the notes will 
afford a specimen of these proceedings, The 



* (COPY.) 

Port f Spain, Sov. HSift, 1805. 

Your Excellency, 

I hope will not look upon me as importunate when I 
return to request you will have the goodness to pay me 
from the elate of my compassion up to the present month. 
You promised when I was here before I should have my 
pay : I only received ten dollars. I am heartily sorry to 
be thus troublesome ; being under the greatest obligation 
to strangeTS for my subsistence and am in want of clothes 
and other necessaries. I trust your excellency will do me 
this favor. I have the honor to remain 

Your excellency's 

very humble servant, 
(Signeo) JOHX ORFORD, 

Lieut. Engineers 
To his excellency, general Miranda, 7 
commander in chief Columbian Army, y 

(COPY.) 

PortofSfchu A r ov, VZih x 1806. 

Your Excellency, 

My letter I wrote you dated the 19th inst. to my in- 
finite regret and astonishment, not having as yet received 
any answer, I am again induced to trouble you; thinking 



23? 



author of the letters accompanied Miranda from 
England and has cheerfully taken alL the chan- 
ces of his enterprise, not alienated by some in- 
stances of gross ill treatment. The officers for 
a time seemed to think it necessary to apply 
for leave to release themselves from their en- 
gagements, doubting whether they had served 
" two campaigns*" The quarter master gen- 
eral, however, dispensed with this ceremony 



it might, through hurry of business, have escaped your at- 
tention. My wants are now so many and so powerful that 
I am obliged, through necessity, to be thus importunate. 
How can any reasonable person expect that an officer who 
has been so long in your service without receiving pay 
and who has no resources at command, can possibly live, 
or make any appearance as a gentleman ; I therefore re- 
quest an immediate answer to this. Unless I get it, I shall 
apply to his excellency, governor Hislop, and state to him 
my case, requesting his assistance. I have now written 
you the sentiments of my mind in plain language that I 
might be fully understood and also that you may be enabled 
to draw your conclusion from it I have the honour to be 
Your excellency's 

most ob J t humble servant, 
(Signed) JOHN ORJ-ORD, 

Lieut. Engineers, 

To his excellency, general Miranda. 
commander in chief Columbian Army 



238 

and depaited in the Hawk sloop of war for 
Dominica, from thence to London, He ab- 
sented himself without giving notice or obtain- 
ing leave, an abruptness, if not disobedience, 
which the general thought very improper. 
This example, however, of an officer so near 
his person, induced us to believe, that we 
were no longer under any command, and might 
go our several ways without waiting for the 
formality of a proclamation of disbanelment and 
dismissal Miranda is somewhat enrage at 
the quarter master general, and calls it deser- 
tion. Some have taken the trouble to write a 



(COPY.) 

Port of Sfiain> Dec. 2d. 1806. 

Sit, 

By order of general Miranda I have to inform you 
that he received your's of the 29th ult The purport of 
which he conceives to be highly improper and contrary to 
every military principle, that in duty to himself and for the 
good of the service, he thinks it proper -thai you should im- 
mediately be dismissed from it, and you are hereby dis- 
missed from it and no longer to-be considered as an officer 
under his command. I am, sir. 

Your's. 

(Signed) W - TRONG, 

Mv. John Orford. miarter master general.. 



239 



letter of resignation ; others have quitted in 
silence. Many of them were too poor to re- 
main, and not rich enough to go away ; as the 
laws of the island beforementioned requiring 
security for debts due from persons intending 
to depart, were rigidly put in force. 

Though report has frequently told us that 
some of our comrades captured in the schoon- 
ers were executed, it was not authentically* 
known except to Miranda, and a few confiden- 
tial officers, till we returned to Barbadoes and 
Trinidad.* It is now ascertained that ten 



* The following are the letters mentioned in inine of 
September 21st, 1806, as having been intercepted by the 
Qsprey sloop of war. They were forwarded to Miranda at 
Aruba. From the same source he learned the. 4 late of our 
captured comrades ; but from motives of prudence con- 
cealed the intelligence from the troops at that time. As 
these letters show the state of the country when we landed 
at Coro, they are worthy of publication. 

First letter. August 16, 1808, 

6i Miranda has made himself master oi Coro, the garri- 
son of which, consisting of two hundred fuzileers, retreat- 
ed without opposing him. If the English support him, he 
will give us more trouble than is generally supposed. It is 
not that there is any want of numbers well affected to op- 
pose him, but the country is entirely disarmed, and of what 



240 



of them were hanged and beheaded on the 24th 
of last Juiy, and the remainder placed in differ- 
ent casemates and at laborious servitude in O- 



use is inclination without arms, to which we may add the 
total want of money, for we have not a real in the treasury," 
Second letter. 

" It is now said that when the news of Miranda's expe- 
dition got to Spain and of his being at Jacquemel, orders 
were given to fit out four ships of the line at Cadiz to bring 
out troops for our defence; but I give no credit to this 
news Spain in Europe is even worse than Spain in Amer- 
ica, they have neither money, provisions nor soldiers, all is 
a labyrinth of miseries. We never see a vessel from home^ 
no, not even a little one." 

Third letter. 

w The captain general with a numerous retinue of custom 
house officers, priests, surgeons, barbers, apothecaries, and 
all the armed force of every description marched on the 
1 2th to form a camp at Valencia, or San Carlos whence 
reinforcements can be sent to any place attacked. They 
carry with them above two thousand mules laden with pro- 
visions, ammunition and stores of every description requisite 
for an army in the field. Affliction, solitude, want of mo- 
ney, and every sort of misery reigns in this city. The army 
have left behind them their dearest connexions — not a face 
is to be seen that is not the picture of extreme grief- 
fields without labourers— .shops without workmen — fami- 
lies without money — and fathers without sons form a me- 
lancholy scene which is only interrupted by the lamenta* 



241 



moa, Porto-Rico and Bocca Chica. I give 
you the names of the captives. Those without 
any place annexed were from the city and state 
of New- York* 



lions of the women, bewailing the fate of their friends and 
relations, whom they never expect to return." 

Fourth letter. 

" That damned fellow, Miranda, of whose peregrinations 
and detestable designs you give me a detail, will set us all 
mad, and leave us, by the expence he puts us to, without a 
sixpence to bless us He has positively arrived at La Vela 
de Coro and taktn post, the garrison having retired at his 
approach without making any opposition. — We have a nu- 
merous population it is true, but the country ha^ been long 
disarmed for political reasons. Indeed the truth is we can 
only confide in the Queen's i^egiment now reduced to one 
hundred and eighty men, which, with the invalid militia re- 
mains for the protection of the country and capital under 
the command of Pasquin Martinou. Such is the situation 
Miranda has placed us in. — God grant us a happy riddance 
of him." 

Fifth letter. 

il According to our general's account, he will have an 
army of nearly ten thousand. But this multitude being; 
militia who have never seen a shot fired, will but occasion 
confusion and dismay. Even the regiment of Caraccas has 
not an officer of tried valour, they are a corps of muscaciins 
who think of nothing but well cut clothes and fine feathers, 
This is not the Spanish infantry in the times of Carlos- the 
first and Philip- the second." 



2M 

These are the names of those who were ex- 
ecuted. Daniel Kemper, Francis Farquhaison 5 
Thomas Biilopp, Charles Johnson, James 
Gardner, Miles L. Hall, John Ferris, Thomas 
Donahue, Philadelphia; Gustavus A. Burgudd, 
Poland ; Paulo Theodore George, Portugal. 

Those who follow 7 were sentenced to tea 
years labour at Omoa. John Edsell, Henry 
Ingersoll, Massachusetts ; John Hayes, Peter 
Naulty, Ireland ; Daniel Mc Kay, do. ; John 
M. Elliott, John T. O, Sullivan, David .Hec- 
kle, John Moore, John H. Sherman, Benitt B. 
Neguss, Philadelphia ; Thomas Gill, Robert 
Saunders, Jeremiah Powell.* 

These are destined for Porto Rico and sen- 

* Ma). Powell has been released through the agency of 
his father, who /visited the court of Spain, thence to Eng- 
land, being unable to obtain- th,e object of his wishes. At 
London, he procured a hetter from the celebrated and hu- 
mane Dr leaner, which procured him access- to the Span- 
ish monarch, who immediately ordered his liberation. 
Messrs. Lippencott, Sherman. Smith and O. Sullivan have 
made their escape Burk, Burlingham and Scott here died. 
The prisoners were not removed to their respective sta- 
tions except thoae destined to Bocca Chica The others 
are imprisoned at Garth agena, where Bocca Chica is situ- 
ated. 



teneed to hard labour for the same term of 
years* John Parsers, William W, Lippmeott, 
supercargo, Philadelphia ; Joseph Bennett, 
James Grant, Matthew Bachatinan, Stephen 
Burtis, Phineas Raymond, .-Connecticut ; Moses 
Smith, Alexander Buchani.an, David Winton, 
Frederick Riggns, John Burk, Edmund Bur- 
lingham, John Scott, 

The others were sentenced to eight years 
labour at Bocca-Chica. Pompey Grant, Wil- 
liam Pride, Robert Rains, Benjamin Nicholson, 
Benjamin Davis, Samuel Price, Henry Sperry, 
George Ferguson, Robert Stevenson, William 
Long, Joseph L. Heckle, Ellery King, Conn, 
William Cartwright, Phiiad. William Burn- 
sides, Ireland, Hugh Smith, Scotland, Danie| 
Newbury, Connecticut, Samuel Towzer, Phi- 
lad. James Hyatt, Phiiad. Abraham Head, 
Phiiad. 

One seaman, named Spalding, was drowned 
at the boarding of the schooner by the guarda 
costas. Iiuddie ? master of the Bee, was killed 
in the early part of the engagement. Mr. Dan- 
iel R. Burning fell a victim to his hard fate by 
sickness in confinement. 

The issue upon the prosecution of the Le 
ander is still protracted. The general has 



244 



had the address to persuade the governor and 
judge that the first advices from England 
v/ould bring orders for furnishing him with 
means to discharge the demand. Several 
packets have arrived, but no confirmation of 
these assurances has appeared.^ 

Letters have been received from the general's 
embassador, Count de Rouvray, announcing 
his introduction to the British ministry, and 
what he considered a favourable reception. 
Bur all that was done for him, as might ration- 
ally have been expected, was comprised m 
good wishes and good manners. From the 
best information we could obtain thev had no 
idea of extending their hands to lift the gener- 
al and his associates from die dust 

Your curiosity may ask for some sketch of 
the persons and characters concerned in our 



* The ship was finally sold, with htr armament, in the 
early part of autumn, ISO/, and probably for half the sum 
that she would nave produced at the time the sailors made 
their first application. Partial payments were made to the 
few who adhered to the ship. What amount of the pro- 
ceeds Miranda reserved to himself, or whether any pay- 
ments were made to the Leander concern, or to the gentle- 
men who furnished arms and provisions at Barbadoes and 
Trinidad, I have not ascertained. 



245 



enterprise. Many of them had seen military 
service before they were connected with Mi- 
randa. Armstrong, Roorbach and Kirkland 
were the principal persons in this class. The; 
two former had been officers in the British ar- 
my during the late war between Great Britain 
and the United States and are now half pay 
captains. 

Armstrong had no inconsiderable military 
knowledge. He had method, industry and vi- 
gilance and it is to be presumed courage. He 
was well acquainted with the duties of his par- 
ticular office, having served some time in the 
British army in that line. With less obsequi- 
ousness to his superiors and less supercilious- 
ness and tyranny in his treatment of those in 
his power, he would have been more servicea- 
ble to the enterprise and had more friends- 
Roorbach was educated at one of the universi- 
ties and is a gentleman in his manners. The 
commencement of the American revolution 
found him in the practice of physick. He how- 
ever thought proper to sheathe the lancet and 
draw the sword, and served in the English ar- 
my without blemish till the peace when he 
married and settled in New York. He was an 

enthusiast for the cause in which we were eis- 
x 2 



246 



gaged. By his gentlemanly deportment and his 
miahie qualities he secured many friends and 
preserved a good understanding with all the 
officers. 

Kirkland commanded a regiment in the state 
of New York as early as 1795. He was in the 
regular army of the United States in 1798 and 
was appointed inspector of brigade in general 
Hamilton's staff. He is known to have been 
remarked by military men of the first rank in 
the United States, for qualities and acquire- 
ments to make an officer of more than common 
merit. Our chief said " he had an understand- 
ing to plan and skill to execute." His hu« 
manity secured him the affections of his men, 
while his dignified authority in command in- 
sured their prompt obedience. His deport- 
ment and address blended the air of the sol- 
dier with the ease of the gentleman. Upon 
the whole, I should say he was a cavalier wor- 
thy of a better cause and better fortunes than 
he has found in Miranda's adventure. 

W. Steuben Smith, Miranda's aid decamp, 
is a young man of promise, and inherits the 
military spirit and generosity of his father. Had 
%ve succeeded, I am persuaded he would have 
done much honour tu himself and his family* 



247 



Chevalier de Belhay had been in the English 
and Austrian service, and was held in much 
regard as an officer. 

For the most part those gentlemen who join- 
ed Miranda at New York were of respectable 
families and some of them liberally educated. 
Hosack, Sands, Loudon, Burnett, Scofield and 
others are included in this class. 

The sailors and troops with a few exceptions 
possessed a strength of nerve and hardihood of 
disposition suited to the perilous and doubtful 
nature of the enterprise. 

Out of the number of the gentleman who 
became our associates in the West Indies were 
a few of birth and respectability who had been 
in active and regular service either in the ar- 
mies of England,* France or Spain. Among 
the candidates for fortune and renown were 
several young men who would have shone, if 
they had enjoyed the opportunities of perform- 
ing those exploits which it was then expected 
the nature of the expedition would afford. 

It has been my study and desire, in the pre- 
ceding communication, to relate truths which 
cannot be denied and are proper to be told. 
In a few days I hope to quit this island, for 
my native country ; but the distance of my 



248 

port of destination from your residence, will 
deprive me of the pleasure of seeing you un- 
less accident should bring us together. In 
due time after my arrival in the United States 
I shall transmit you my reflections upon this 
-story, and such intelligence as I may receive. 



LETTER XXVI. 

Result upon the means, conduct and object of tht 
expedition;— An apology for its agents. 

ignited States, July 1st, 180S. 

AFTER a long interval I proceed to wind 
up my correspondence. My disgust has made 
me willing to dismiss the subject from my 
thoughts. The general's envoy extraordinary 
returned last autumn from England after an 
unsuccessful embassy. Miranda sailed in the 
frigate Alexandria for London in December. 
His enthusiasm, after all the dampers it has re- 
ceived, was not extinguished. He said that 
he expected to be in Caraccasin the following 
summer. 

I have detailed" the progress and termination 



249 

of Miranda* s adventure* It remains only to 
make a result upon the object, the means and 
the conduct of the expedition ; the circum- 
stances which determined its fate, and the es- 
timate to be made of the actors in the tragical 
affair. I shall repeat and add a few facts, illus- 
trating my observations. 

The object was to make the province of 
Caraccas and in due time all Spanish America 
independent. Of this region it was remarked, 
46 Nature scarcely ever did more for any coun- 
try, man scarcely ever did less." Imagination 
saw fifteen millions of people, released from 
colonial dependence and the system of monop- 
oly and restriction it involved; enjoying a free 
government ; elevated from their depressed 
condition ; commanding the ample and inex- 
haustible resources derived from Providence; 
made happy in themselves and connected with 
the civilized world by direct and extensive 
commerce. A splendid empire is founded. 
A new character is produced in the present 
inhabitants, and the means of their indefinite 
increase and greatness prepared. The trade 
of these fertile regions is no more 5t dragged 
through the store houses and -magazines of the 
Havauah and Spain ; but finds new channels and 



^50 



new customers. The flags of every nation are 
seen flying in the harbours. The vessels of 
the United States, instead of plying a smug- 
gling and contraband trade, lade and unlade 
their cargoes in the face of day and under the 
eye of the government. The contest between 
plunder and subterfuge no longer exists. The 
dragon is forever put to sleep and the golden 
fruit of the Hesperides is within the reach of 
every visitant. Such it was thought and said 
might be the consequences of our enterprise. 
Then indeed should Miranda be another Wash- 
ington, and we should mingle our glory with 
that of ou r Washington. 

This regeneration of the new world must in- 
deed be effected by resistance to established 
authorities and by revolution. But such was 
the imagined state of things, such the suppos- 
ed agreement in the opinions and wishes of the 
natives that the resistance was not expected to 
be long or bloody ; and the revolution we were 
ready to believe would soon be over and give 
place to a well balanced government. To what 
extremities Miranda intended to go, if he had 
the power, in forcing his views upon the peo- 
ple is uncertain. From the event, it seems as 
though his purpose was merely to land on the 



251 



shores of Caraeeas, to erect there the standard' 
of liberty, and invite the inhabitants to enlist 
irifdcr his banners, and; if they resorted to him, 
put arms into their hands for the defence of 
freedom. He would not in the proper sense 
conquer his fellow countrymen into liberty <, 
If the people appeared favourable he was to 
strike ; if not, to leave them to wear their 
chains. The morality of his object he always- 
strenuously maintained. He professed to be- 
lieve it approved by the principal statesmen 
and best patriots of this country. He would 
think Mr. Emmet's eloquent vindication of him 
and his design in the trial of col. Smith noth- 
ing more than just. 6C Against general Miranda 
and the object of his expedition I have heard 
and read some malignant calumnies, which only 
could have originated, with mean and mercena- 
ry beings, who never yet sacrificed a selfish 
feeling to a publick principle \ whose hearts 
never sympathised with the sufferings of a 
slave ; nor swelled with the mighty hope of de- 
livering a nation. The district attorney, in his 
opening address to you, did not permit him- 
self to adopt those calumnies in their entire ex- 
tent—he is incapable of doing so for his senti- 
ments are liberal, and his manners mild, Suffi- 



252 



cient however, fell from him, to give to them- 
so me what of colour and countenance and to 
enlist your passions and prejudices against 
gen. Miranda and all concerned in his expedi- 
tion. In particular, I remember he termed 
Miranda a fugitive on the face of the earth, 
and characterised the object of the expedition, 
as something * audacious, novel and danger- 
ous. 5 It has often struck me, .gentlemen, as 
matter of curious observation, how speedily 
new nations, like new made nobility, and em- 
perors, acquire the cant and jargon of their sta- 
tions. Let me exemplify this observation, by 
remarking, that here within the United States, 
which scarcely thirty years ago were colonies 
engaged in a bloody struggle, for the purpose 
of shaking off their dependence on the parent 
state, the attempt to free a colony from the op- 
pressive yoke of its mother country, is called 
i audacious, novel and dangerous/' It is true,, 
gen. Miranda's attempt is daring, and if you 
will, audacious — but wherefore is it novel and 
dangerous ? Because he, a private individual, 
unaided by the publick succour of any state, 
attempts to liberate South America ? Thrasy- 
bulus ! expeller of the thirty tyrants ! restorer 
of the Athenian freedom £ wherefore are yo$L 



25S 



named with honour in the records of history 
Because, while a fugitive and an exile, you 
collected together a band of brave adventurers 
who confided in your integrity and talents— 
because, without the acknowledged assistance 
of any state or nation, with no commission but 
what you derived from patriotism, liberty and 
justice, you marched with your chosen friends, 
and overthrew the tyranny of Sparta, in the 
land that gave you birth, —Nor are Argos and 
Thebes censured for having afforded you re- 
fuge, countenance and protection. Nor is ls« 
menias, then at the head of the Theban govern- 
ment accused of having departed from the 
duties of his station, because he obeyed the 
impulse of benevolence and compassion to- 
wards an oppressed people and gave the pri- 
vate assistance which he could not pubiickly 
avow." 

Whether human nature or the people of that 
country are so interested in the success of the 
project of emancipation as we republicans are 
apt to imagine seems to me to admit a ques- 
tion, I reflect that amidst ail their alleged 
grievances, they have great wealth and pros- 
perity ; and whatever they suffer, they have i„ 
general no pain from the consciousness of op-- 

Y 



254 



pression. If they were even in a worse state 
than they are, their listless character would make 
them little excitable by doctrines of liberty. 

Having obtained the power to dictate the 
form of civil polity, Miranda proposed to use 
it with reference to republican theories. There 
must indeed in the outset be a dictator, who 
should see that the u commonwealth sustained 
no detriment." Their deliverer by right of 
services and of force is this dictator. He is- 
sues a decree for the election of a council of 
12 persons, consisting of 6 whites, 4 free peo- 
ple of colour and 2 free blacks, which, with its 
president is the supreme authority of South 
America, till further determined. At a prop- 
er time a constitution was to be submitted to 
the people^ resembling in its general features 
that of the United Stateso The right of suf- 
frage was to be confined to holders of land. 
The government being organized, many ex- 
cellent things were to be done and all abuses 
corrected, as far as human wisdom could go. 
The church should have protection, but sub- 
mit to be divested of its secular power. Reg- 
ulations should be adopted to remedy inequal- 
ity of property and vassalage. The evils of 
slavery were to be mitigated. The publick 



8*5 



burdens were to be equalized. Our leader had 
many pleasing visions of good, which he hop- 
ed to realize in the new republick, which he 
should establish. Among the good deeds in 
his contemplation-, was the munificent reward 
of his followers according to their merit. There 
could be no want of treasures for this purpose 
in the Ophir he would possess. 

Be the end ever so much entitled to com- 
mendation, you ask where are the means ? what 
powers and resources had Miranda correspond- 
ing to his design ? In the first place he pro- 
ceeded on the supposition of a spirit of revolt 
being ready to burst out in the country. The 
conspiracy of 1797, he imagined, had left seeds 
of discontent and insurrection, and a spirit of 
impatience and reform. He regarded the whole 
of that event as an indication of combustible 
materials existing among the people. He 
thought they felt the government like " an in- 
cubus oppressing all their efforts. 53 In these 
calculations I think he proceeded without book. 
He transferred his own feelings to others. His 
passions tinged the objects he contemplated 
with their -own colour. What he wished or 
imagined he believed. For he never produced 
any sufficient evidence of his belief. He .as- 



serted that he was possessed of letters and do- 
cuments, some of them of early date and oth- 
ers later, inviting and encouraging his attempt. 
After he undertook to disclose particulars to 
his confidential officers — they expected a sight 
of these papers, but never saw them ; and in 
consequence were shaken in their confidence 
in his veracity. The Don Pedro Minto story 
beyond question was a fiction, invented with a 
view to inspirit his followers. It is known that 
his own brother, on receiving a letter from Mi- 
randa intimating his design, instead of endea- 
vouring to secure him partizans, immediately 
disclosed its contents to the government of 
Caraccas. Miranda relied on being known in 
South America as a distinguished character 
and a native of the country. Very few per- 
sons however remembered him after a twenty 
year's absence. To a few he was known as a 
traveller and scholar, a French revolutionary 
general, and a knight errant of liberty. Know- 
ledge of any kind and especially of the enemies 
of kings does not spread among the natives of 
South America. Political newspapers and ec- 
centrick biographies are not there in circula- 
tion. What notoriety our chief had w r as con- 
fined to the place of his nativity. At Coro he 



s 



257 

was a perfect stranger, and whether he was m 
Englishman, an Amorite or Egyptian they 
could not tell, His sort of reputation did not 
help him where it was understood. Those 
who knew him were not strangers to the sus- 
picious circumstances, under which he was 
believed to have become an exile from his- 
country. If any wished for independence, 
there is ground to think they would not seek 
Miranda as its founder, They doubted his 
principles and temper, and considered him chi- 
valrick and extravagant. What could he ex- 
pect from his little force, you will inquire. It 
was to serve as a rallying point for his adher- 
ents. Before he made the attempt from New- 
York he had endeavoured to interest the Bri- 
tish administration in his views, It is said they 
had at one time looked favourably upon the 
project of making Spanish America free, when 
the prospect of a war between Spain and the 
UniteB States some years ago occasioned it to 
be a subject of discussion in the English cabi- 
net. There was a correspondence between 
Miranda, Mr. Pitt and Sir Home Popham, and 
some progress made in arrangements to second 
the plans of our general. But it was broken 

off abruptly, because, as Miranda alleged, Mr. 
y 2 



258 

Pitt had views of conquest not emancipation, 
and proposed that an English general should 
command the expedition. 

Disappointed in this quarter, Miranda came 
to the United States. The political aspect of 
our relations with Spain favoured his design.- 
With no other funds thaneight hundred pounds, 
and bills to a limited amount, which misrht or 
might not be paid, he succeeded to procure the 
Leander and stores, valued at seventy thousand 
dollars to be subject to his directions. Of the 
persons on board, a part belonged to the ship 
as seamen, and the others were to serve him if 
they saw fit according to engagements to be 
made. This ship with the Emperour appears 
to have been all his dependence. No condi- 
tions were made with the English. The chief 
believed the military and naval establishment 
in the parts of South America which he pro- 
posed to visit to be small and inefficient. In 
this calculation he was not wholly mistaken, 
though he underrated it. To prevent the dis- 
couraging effect of his humble preparations on 
the minds of his associates, he relied on the 
l * captivating deceptiousness" which he knew 
how tc practise, and their faith in his preten- 
sions and asseverations. He taught them thai 



259. 



the revolution was so organized beforehand, 
that their first employment in landing would 
be to sing ios of victory. 

His second attempt was made with more 
considerable means. They would have been 
larger, had he been more circumspect and con- 
ciliatory. He was still without money. The 
number of men to act on shore you already 
know was very inconsiderable. The naval 
force indeed was enough to capture, hold and 
defend any station which their guns could 
reach, till his ability to gain reinforcements 
could be tested. 

He was a dreamer, you think, to expect any 
success, when he was so weak handed. It 
may be questioned, however, whether his fail- 
ure should not be ascribed more to his own 
mistakes and perversity than to his want of force. 

I promised to remark on the conduct of this 
expedition. Miranda has been blamed for 
wasting so much' time at St. Domingo. In 
justice to him it should be recollected, that 
captain Jacob Lewis had promised to join him 
with the ship Emperour. To obtain this ad»> 
ditional force would have warranted even a 
longer delay at Jacquemel ; for the event prov- 
ed that this ship was necessary in the first at- 



260 



tempt. But when disappointed in this expec- 
tation, we may ask with propriety why he pro- 
ceeded with the Leander and two small schoon- 
ers, after he must have known that all the evils 
resulting from delay were to be encountered, 
without a proportional force to meet the dan- 
ger. Why did he not proceed to Trinidad for 
a reinforcement, which he always pretended he 
had a right to expect or could obtain from 
Great Britain ? His impatience to commence 
operations, already sharpened by delay had a 
powerful influence on his mind. A still 
stronger motive urged him on to immediate 
exertion, a hope that he should accomplish the 
object without the aid of the English govern- ■ 
meat. For Miranda often declared that he 
M wished the enterprise to be considered an 
American affair. 55 Even at Barbadoes and 
Trinidad, while he was hourly receiving the 
hospitality of British commanders, he intimat- 
ed in plain terms, that he " must accept of the 
assistance of the British at that time, but he 
never intended they should obtain any power 
in his country. 55 Thus leaping to his end with- 
out consulting his means, the catastrophe is 
anticipated ; and we lose the two schooners 
with a large number of our best men, in the 



261 

first act of the drama. " Prudence," savs one 
of the considerable actors in our affairs, " would 
have suggested the expediency of keeping our 
course after the discovery of the guarda cos- 
tas, to which we gave chace on the morning of 
the 27th of April, instead of hauling our wind 
and standing off from the land. The bay of 
Occumara was not more than eight or ten 
leagues distant, and as we had been discovered 
by the Spanish vessels, any advantages to be 
calculated from a secret approach by night were 
lost. It should then have been the general's 
policy, as w T as suggested to him at the time, t® 
have improved the day light ; to have made 
immediately for the bay, searched out the an- 
choring ground, learned the situation and 
strength of the battery* which defends the port, 
and to have taken possession of it if possible. 
He would then have learned whether the place 
was tenable and equal to the defence of our- 
selves, the ship and schooners in case of an at- 
tack from the guarda costas. Above all we 
should have discovered our friends, if the cause 
had any advocates in the country, for it was 
but six leagues from this place to Valencia^ 



* A battery mounting ten 8 and 12 pounders. 



262 



where we were made to believe Don Pedro Min- 
to was posted with an army and supplies at our 
service. Had we met with a formidable op- 
position in our endeavours to gain the battery, 
we should have known, that these expected 
friends were enemies, and might reasonably 
have calculated that an attempt to carry it by a 
coup de main at night would have been useless, 
as the position could not have been maintained. 
We might then have retreated in safety, before 
the Spanish vessels could have gained the har- 
bour. All this might have been effected dur- 
ing the day. On the contrary we bore away at 
12 o'clock ; at 6 P. M. being from six to eight 
leagues from shore, an order was issued for 
every officer and soldier to be ready to land 
that night, not withstanding this brigand schoon- 
er, which we had chased in the morning, had 
been observed to enter the harbour of Porto 
Cabello, and come out again, and were at 3 
o'clock P. M. evidently making for us. One 
mistake at the commencement of a naval or 
military operation is followed by a train of evils. 
We now wanted the hours which had been 
wasted in the morning ; the pilot mistakes the 
port ; one schooner is sent to reconnoitre— 
from ignorance or inattention she neglects the 



if v * r » ' ' 

| , "g63 

! signals for recal ;* anchors in the morning ua- 
I der the land within long shot of the enemy, 
[I some of the people go on shore^ she receives 
h 3 shot from the Spanish brig, cuts cable and 
leaves them behind ; no intelligence is obtain- 
ed from the reconnoitring party ; a battle en- 
sues between the Leander and the guarda cos- 
tas ; the schooners, with the men and officers 
on board, first derived and then deserted by 
their general, are captured. Deserted I say, 
because there was a time when the Spanish 
brig and schooner had separated, that the Le- 
ander should have endeavoured to engage the 
Jatter. But from facts and circumstances 
since disclosed, it appears! evident that Mi- 
randa would not permit the attempt." This 
discomfiture drives our hero to Barbadoes ? 
where he ought to have gone before and in a 
better condition. He is well received by ad- 
miral Cochrane > is furnished with a small na- 
val force with the promise of an addition at 
Trinidad, where he arrives on the 24th of 
June. Here his first step towards recruiting 
his little army, was the publication of a hand- 



* See letter XL p. TO. t See letter XXI. p. 160, 



264 

bill* without signature or date, so inflammato- 
ry and seditious in its language as to offend 
the government and people of Trinidad, The 
moon-eyed manner in which it was ushered 
into publick notice excited suspicion ; — the 
style and diction, ridicule and disgust. The 
offers and promises it contained were the spurn 
of contempt. Such was Miranda's strange 
weakness as to make him believe that labour- 
ing men, receiving from one to two dollars 
per day, were to be philosophized into his 
" godlike design* ' by the offer of one q\ rtet 
dollar per day, free from all deductions and a 
division of land according to rank after^twelve 
months. But t^^^tto^x^i^o^^^ their 
lives in taking possession of this land, with the 
certainty of being made a head shorter if they 
should fall into the hands of the Spaniards du- 
ring the contest. Nor was he to be convinced 
of the necessity of increasing this nominal 
amount of wages. Instead of advancing a 
small sum as bounty, a proposition was made, 
as ludicrous as it was futile, that each recruit 
should receive one bill for twenty-five dollars 
payable at a given time in Trinidad and anoth ■ 



* See letter XVI. f % \0% 



265 

er of the same amount payable in South Amer- 
ica after it should have come into our possess- 
ion. With all his knowledge and experience 
of armies, Miranda seemed not to know that 
ten dollars in hand, was better than fifty on 
paper (even if it were good) to any one of that 
description of men, who would enlist as sol- 
diers. At length, however, he sailed with the 
force that has been mentioned. He makes his 
first attempt at Coro, at least one hundred and 
sixty leagues to leeward of the places he should 
have first chosen, viz. Margaretta, Cumana, 
Carrupana, or Barcelona, either of which 
might have been taken and probably maintain- 
ed by the force he had with less risk than Co- 
ro, and would in other respects have been more 
adapted to his views. Margaretta should have 
been his place of rendezvous ; abounding in 
cattle and vegetables, commanding every port 
on the coast ; and being but eight leagues from 
the Spanish Main, Here he could have com- 
municated with his friends, and, if he really had 
any in the country , they could have joined him. 
For we are to keep in mind that the command- 
ing pivot of the expedition was a reliance on 
the good will and active exertions of the peo- 
ple. If he was to collect followers from the 

Z 



266 



islands, this situation would have been favour- 
able to such a design. His correspondence 
with admiral Cochrane, Trinidad and Barba- 
doe^, &c. would, from such a position, have 
been executed with safety and dispatch. But 
to beat up fiom Coro requires, in ordinary 
times, from fifteen to twenty and often thirty 
days. The injury resulting to us in this re- 
spect is exemplified in the fate of the British 
schooner Provost, the first advice boat sent 
from Coro to the admiral, She was captur- 
ed off Guadaloupe, after a severe action of 
some hours with a French brig of superior 
force both in metal and men. It was not ex- 
pected by admiral Cochrane that Miranda 
would go to leeward of Laguira. and by most 
of his officers it was believed and hoped that 
Margaretta was to have been the first port of 
destination. But though the capture of this 
island would have been considered as a gallant 
achievement, had it been effected with a force 
even superior to his; when the expediency if not 
necessity of possessing Margaretta wa-. sug- 
gested by able advisers, whilst we were an- 
chored at Coche, the general replied, that tfc it 
was but an island ; to take it would imply an 
acknowledgement that we were unable or 



267 



afraid to take a position on the main land. 55 
However just this opinion might have been, it 

i should be recollected that Margaretta contains 
fourteen thousand inhabitants, and from its sit- 
uation might be made a valuable acquisition to 
any government or country. 

I spy nothing of the disaster resulting from 
the unmilitary manner of entering the city 
of Coro, nor of Miranda's neglect to take 

;| strong measures while there, to gain his point. 

! The sudden and inexplicable evacuation of La 
Vela de Coro brings up the series of blunders 
by which his expedition was to be destroyed. 
He should have remained there acting on the 
defensive and taking every measure to bring 
the people back to their homes and recommend 
himself to their favour. He would have been safe 
in that station, for the brigs and gun boats covered 
the town and commanded the principal avenues 
leading into it. The batteries were in his pos- 
session, and under these circumstances could 
not have been regained by any force which we 
had reason to expect.* 

Reinforcements from different quarters were 
to be looked for with much certainty. A very 



* See intercepted letters, page 239. 



I 
i 



26a 

respectable naval force did come from admiral 
Cochrane as was before mentioned, and re- 
emits from the neighbouring islands, from the 
eclat of the thing, wouid have resorted to his 
standard, after it appeared that he had obtain- 
ed a tolerably sure footing. The allegation of 
the want of provisions and water was not so 
founded as to make our departure necessary. 
The provisions which we had, without any use 
of the produce found in the place, did last 
more than thirty days after we arrived at Aru- 
ba ; and on the day ot the evacuation rain fell in 
sufficient quantities to supply the army of Xerxes 
with water for a year. The officers and soldiers 
re-embarked with reluctance. They did not 
think their dangers or privations present or an- 
ticipated so intolrable as to require an aban- 
donment of the expedition. A very general 
indignation was manifested when the order 
was given for evacuation. An officer who was 
ordered to strike and bring away the Colum- 
bian standard, in his vexation and disgust tore 
it to peices and threw his cap, epaulets and 
sword into the sea. He would not wear mili- 
tary insignia, which he felt were disgraced. 

As a soldier of fortune, or the projector of 
revolution, this measure is inconsistent. But 



269 



his enemies ought to forgive him. Let them 
say, if they will, that he found the people a- 
verse to liberty and would not be the arbi- 
ter of the government they should have* Af- 
ter all their terrours, it proved he was a very 
harmless being to the inhabitants. He volun- 
tarily left their country without laying his 
hands on their property, or their persons. 
Another subject, as exhibiting a feature of 
j Miranda's character, ought to be again men- 
i tioned, viz. the neglect to attempt rescuing the 
' captives. Immediately on his return to Trini- 
i dad, after the first misfortune, he should have 
sent a flag of truce to the Spanish Main with con- 
ditions. He might have procured the co-opera- 
tion of the English admiral for this purpose. 
But he insisted "it would be time enough" 
when he made them a second visit, " which 
would soon take place," and " that they would 
not be" injured: he was willing that they 
should take their chance. They were, as has 
been stated, captured on the 23th of April, and 
not sentenced until the 2 1st of July, so that, had 
he taken early measures, these unfortunate men 
might have been saved. Whilst on the Main, 
he might have made some of the people, whom 
he found, hostages for the safety, good treatment 



270 



and restoration of the prisoners not executed. 
This history, with events coming in other 
ways before the publick, shows on what ground 
the apology for the adventurers stands, In- 
terest in publick opinion and sympathy with 
those who are now paying the dreadful forfeit- 
ure of their error at Bocca Chica justify me in 
calling your attention to their plea, such as it 
is. I know that merit is determined very much 
by event ; that the misfortunes of the impru* 
dent excite more censure than tenderness.— 
With equitable and humane minds however, 
this will not be the case. If they view our 
agency in this calamitous business as entirely 
wrong, they will allow to those, who in other 
respects are correct, the benefit of the distinc* 
tioh between a single fault and a general con- 
tempt of right. They will do justice to all the 
considerations that afford a palliation or excuse. 
You have seen the trial and acquittal of Messrs, 
Smith and Ogden. The former had an agency in 
procuring men for Miranda. The latter supplied 
the ship, armament and outfit. The defendants 
could not obtain the testimony of the officers of 
government, which they contended was neces- 
sary. The jury, however, gave a verdict of ac- 
quittal. They determined that the persons ac~ 
cused had not broken anv law of theUnitedStates, 



271 

however theirconduct might stand, when judg- 
ed by the laws of nations. Numbers of those 
who engaged went upon the general assurance 
that the enterprise was lawful and honourable, 
and not attended with any desperate risks, other 
than the usual fortune of war, if indeed the 
king's troops in South America would not sub- 
mit without resistance. Those who had most 
insight into the business, looked for wealth and 
eclat, a share in a noble undertaking and the 
liberty of returning to their country when they 
saw fit. They might have thought that in case 
they were captured by the Spaniards, the A* 
merican government might refuse its protec- 
tion, though they hoped the contrary — but 
they did not expect to be arraigned as crimi- 
nals at home. Before the preparations for the 
expedition began, Miranda went to the city of 
Washington. Arrived at the seat of govern- 
ment he is treated with courtesy. He writes 
thence to col. Smith* several times in a strain 



» Washington^ Dec. 1 1th, 1805. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

I have received your letters of the 1st and 6th of 
this month, and your commodore's of the 5th : The busi- 
ness you and him mention is on the Tafiis at this present 
moment, and will be concluded J. hope in the course of 



272 



Which creates the belief that his design is com- 
municated to .the government. Col. Smith's 



this week. Not a moment is lost and the appearances 
look very favourable. — Have a little patience and you shall 
soon hear the result. I hope you will act on your side 
with as much activity, &c. Scfc, My best compliments to 
the worthy admiral and to major A. They both shall 
hear from me as soon as the thing is decided ; write me 
here at Stelle's hotel, and that will be sufficient, if the di- 
rection is Mi\ Molini. 

Yours, M. A. 

Col. W. Smith. 

Washington^ Dec. 14^, 1805. 

DEAR FRIEND, 

I saw yesterday for the second time, both the gen- 
tlemen, and after talking fully on the subject, I think I 
brought the business to a conclusion. Yet Mr M. upon 
hearing my determination of quitting this city tomorrow 
for New York, appeared surprised, and persuaded me not 
to leave it before Tuesday next, the 17th, when he ex- 
pected me to dine with him, and have a little more con- 
versation I suppose. On consideration I thought that 
a stay three days longer, might snow calm and patience; 
on my part, which would give to this step all the dignity 
I intended, though I am persuaded that no more will be 
obtained, than what is already imparted. Their tacit ap- 
probation and good wishes are evidently for us, and they 
do not see any difficulty that may prevent the citizens of 
the U, States in attending personally or sending supplies 
for this object, provided the puokek laws should not be 



273 



going on the expedition is said to be a subject 
of conversstion between Miranda and the se- 
cretary of state.- — Some days before the saiiing 
of the Leander he writes a letter to the presi- 
dent and Secretary.* 



openly violated. Your demand of permission or leave of 
absence is considered impracticable, and Mr. M. thinks it 
easier to take the risk upon yourself at once ; however, 
we shall consider this subject with much reflection when 
we shall meet at New York. On the 1 8th, early, I shall 
certainly leave this for Philadelphia, from whence I will 
write to you again, and without much delay proceed to 
New York. In the mean time, I request you to have ev- 
ery thing ready for departure before the last of Decem- 
ber, and I beg of you to show to our worthy commodore 
as much as is necessary of this letter, not thinking pru- 
dent in me at this moment and on so delicate a subject to 
write any more ; do the same with the major, and repeat 
to both my most sincere friendship and permanent esteem. 
When we meet,you and they shall hear more on this sub* 
jects in the mean time act with much caution and great ac- 
tivity. Yours, M — — . 

• ftev) York, January 22a?, 1806. 

Mr. President, 

I have the honor to send you enclosed the natural 
and civil history of Chili, of which we conversed at Wash- 
ington ; you will perhaps find more interesting facts and 
greater knowledge in this little volume than in those which 
have been before published on the same subject concern- 



274 



The result of his conferences as he repre- 
sented was that the government would not co- 
operate ; but if he could make his design an 



ing this beautiful country. If ever the happy prediction 
which you have pronounced on the future destiny of our 
dear Columbia, is to be accomplished in our day, may 
providence grant that it may be under your auspices, and 
by the generous efforts of her own children. We shall 
then in some sort behold the arrival of that age the return 
of which the Roman bard invoked in favour of the human 
race 

The last great age foretold by sacked rhy?nes 9 
Renews its finished course ; Saturnian times^ 
Boll round again* and mighty years began t 
From this first orb, in radiant circles ran % 

With the highest consideration, and 
profound respect, I am, Vv. 

President, your very 

humble servant, 
(Signed) FRAN: DE MIRANDA. 

To Thomas Jefferson, President 
of the United States. 

Aetv York, January 22d, 1806. 

Sir, 

On the point of leaving the U States allow me to ad., 
dress a few words to you to thank you for- the attentions 
that vou were pleased to show me during my stay at 
Washington. The important concerns, which 1 then had 
the honour to communicate to you, I doubt not will re- 



(pnvate.) 



275 



object of individual enterprize, it u saw 
difficulty that should prevent the citizens of 
the United States in attending personally, or 
sending supplies for his object ; provided 
the public k laws were not openly violated." 
The same impression was received from pas- 
sages which were afterwards submitted to 
some of his agents from his port-iblio, giving 
an account of conversations which he recorded 
as having taken place between him and the 
secretary of state at the city of Washington. 

About tht same time, the president had de- 
livered a message to congress stating nume- 
rous and unprovoked acts of hostility suffered 



main a profound secret until the final result of that delicate 
affair ; I have acted upon that supposition here, by con- 
forming in every thing to tlie intentions of government, which 
I hope to have apprehended and observed with exactness 
and discretion. The enclosed letter contains a book which 
I have promised to the president of the U States, and 
which I pray you to transmit to him. Have the good- 
ness to present my respectful compliments to Mrs Madi- 
son, and to believe me with the highest consideration and 
esteem, sir. 

Your very humble and 

obedient servant, 
(Signed) FR AN : DE MIRANDA. 

To the horn James Madison, Esq. 



276 



from Spain ; declaring that the Spaniards had 
captured our citizens within our borders — had 
invaded our territory and committed depreda- 
tion on our commerce, and suggesting the ne- 
cessity of a recourse to measures of retaliation. 
Congress deliberated in secret, and it was 
thought on this subject. Under all these cir- 
cumstances, the agents were led to conclude, 
that as the government knows and does not check 
the preparations for this expedition, it gives 
them an implied sanction. Those who adven- 
ture must be acting legally and safely. By re- 
citing, I do not mean to vindicate the correct- 
ness of these inferences, nor accuse the admin- 
istration of my country. Events have proved 
the insufficiency of the data to support such 
conclusions ; yet it must be acknowledged they 
were plausible and natural. It ought to have 
been recollected that Miranda's statements of 
his conversations at Washington rested on the 
evidence of his own assertions. Whether he 
was authorized to write the letters alluded to, 
does not appear by any direct proof. The cop- 
ies of those to the president and secretary of 
state were to serve as documents for the eyes 
of his coadjutors. It might have been his art 
to use a strain of writing, which implied that 



277 



his correspondents, were privy to his transac- 
tions, and participated in his views. Their 
avowal of general good washes for the object, 
and admission of the right of the citizens to 
use the liberty of action in consistency with 
the laws, he might have construed into appro- 
bation and encouragement of his specifick pro- 
ceedings. On the supposition that the gov- 
ernment were apprized of his intentions, an 
overt act only it is alleged could justify a legal 
process. On this delicate question, I should 
presume the government has not incurred any 
just imputation. At the same time, it will be 
recollected that the first promoters of this un- 
dertaking have been tried and pronounced M not 
guilty. 5 ' Their vindication applies to all who 
espoused the design under like impressions. 

Why did we continue, you ask, after sus- 
pecting or discovering the illusion ? There 
was no practicable way of essape till our return 
to the West India islands, after the first at- 
tempt. It was then extremely difficult, among 
strangers and without resources to get away. 
Various methods were used to make us believe 
that we w r ere still expected and desired by the 
friends of independence in that country. The 

partial co-operation of the British gave our en« 
a a 



278 



terprise respectability and seemed to insure 
safety if not success. The stake was great and 
alluring. More than all, we hoped to rescue 
our companions, who had fallen into the hands 
of the Spaniards. Obligations of honour and 
duty, an invincible sympathy with their forlorn 
and distressed situation impelled us to embrace 
the opportunity, which seemed to offer of try- 
ing to procure their release. In this favourite 
hope, we were disappointed. Is there no re- 
source for these unfortunate people ? Ar* there 
no individuals, is there no government able and 
willing to lift up a voice, or stretch out an arm 
in their favour ? May not the new order of 
things, operate for their benefit ? Cannot the 
government of Caraccas be persuaded it would 
be worthy of their magnanimity to let the re- 
maining victims of delusion go ? 

That all the persons concerned in this ca- 
lamitous business consider it with regret is 
certain. They are not again to be led away by 
the same lure. They are sufficiently cured of 
a disposition to reform the world and create 
republicks* 

Having given some sketch of the life of Mi- 
randa, and a short description of the country 
which was to have been the theatre of his ex- 
ploits, 1 shall have done, 



219 



LETTER XXVII. 

NOTICES OF MIRANDA. 

United States, August 10, 1808. 
GENERAL MIRANDA in conversation 
was reserved on the subject of his own life. 
He wrapped himself in mystery ; and apparent- 
ly enjoyed a sort of satisfaction, in leaving peo- 
ple to conjecture and wonder. He would talk 
of what he had seen and done ; of his studies 
his adventures and sufferings ; his perils and 
escapes. But he avoided detail and circum- 
stance ; time, place and persons he kept out 
of view. In his relations he stopped at gener- 
alities. For this reason, his officers know less 
of him than you would imagine. Of the place 
of his nativity there are several and disagree- 
ing accounts. But beyond doubt he was born 
in the city of Carraccas, in the province of that 
name. It is taken for granted that he is de- 
scended from one of the oldest Spanish fami- 
lies. Some accounts represent that his grand- 
father was governor of a province and his fa- 
ther a candidate for the same place ; but de- 
feated in his expectations, through the jealousy 



280 

which the court have ever entertained of the 
natives. This disappointment is mentioned, 
with what truth, I cannot say, as a cause of our 
hero's discontent with the government. If 

such an event ever occurred, it probably had a 
large share of influence on a mind like that of 
Miranda. But the ardor of his feelings, the 
boldness of his speculations and the republican 
bias of thinking which he always manifested 
afford sufficient solutions* He was educated 
like other young men of the better families in 
Caraccas, at the schools and university of that 
city. He never mentioned his teachers nor his 

he was forty. Depons observes, that at pre- 
sent the Spanish youth, sensible of the insuffi- 
ciency of their education, apply with avidity to 
the reading of foreign books. It is said Mi- 
randa began his travels in the provinces, in 
early manhood. He entered the army and was 
captain in the regular troops cf Spain. Biog- 
raphers say he rose to be colonel ; but this is 
doubtful. One of his stations was at Guati- 
mala. Here he improved his opportunities of 
becoming acquainted with New Spain. 

He left his native country from necessity, tc 
avoid the displeasure of government. The 



281 

causes of his precipitate di* appearance are va~ 
riously stated. It is ascribed to his expressing 
obnoxious sentiments relating to the indepen- 
dence of the colonies and hav ing laid a plot for 
-effecting it. One of the most celebrated French 
general told me, that whilst Miranda was sta- 
tioned at the Havamia, being in the engineer 
corps, he was commissioned by the military 
commander to go to Jamaica for the purpose 
of surveying the fortifications, and making out 
a report of their strength and c ondition. Tq 
disguise his character a^d dei ign, he was al- 
lowed to smuggle tesi thousand dollars value 
of commodities. On his return he was charge 
ed with exceeding the limits of his permission. 
His property was seized; The cause was car- 
ried to Madrid, where it was decided against 
him. He thought it wise to decamp, in order 
to avoid the penalties which he had incurred. 
In 1783 he visited the United States. I have 
conversed with many persons w 7 ho knew him 
at this time. They say his mind was full of 
the ideas of reform and innovation* of liberty 
and philosophy. He went from this countiy 
to Europe* London was his most constant 
place of residence, whilst he was not on his 

travels. He visited almost every portion $>f 
a a 2 



tb^ S*m>pean world ; every principal city and 
court ; and went to Constantinople. He had 
a superb library in London. This literary- 
treasure was pledged for a part of the necessa- 
ry funds to defray his expenses. In the nego- 
tiations and disputes and naval preparations re- 
specting Nootka sound, he had an agency un- 
der the English ministry. When the French 
revolution commenced he was in Russia. This 
event opened a career suited to his genius. 
He repaired immediately to Paris ; and soon 
obtained favour, fortune and place, under the 
protection of Pethion. He was employed in 
the French army. In 1792 he was sent in qua- 
lity of a general officer to Champagne, under 
Duxnourier ; whom he afterwards accompani- 
ed to Belgium ; and he was nominated in Sep- 
tember commandant of the army of Flanders 
in the room of Labourdonnaye ; during the 
winter he had the chief command in the absence 
©f Dumourier. 

In the spring of 1793 Miranda besieged Ma- 
estrict, by order of the executive council ; but 
generel Lanoue, wh w ? as posted at Roer, being 
beaten at Aldenhoven, he was obliged to raise 
the siege after twenty days bombardment. The 
defeat at Aldenhoven and the bad success at 



283 

Maestricht overturned all Dumourier r s plans. 
How far Miranda was to blame let military 
men judge. 

The commander in chief, Dumourier, having 
retired from Holland, again appeared at the 
head of the Belgic army. Miranda command- 
ed the left wing on the 1 3th of March in the 
affair of Nerwinde. This battle would proba- 
bly have terminated in favour of the French, 
had hot Miranda retired from the field, soon 
after the middle of the day. One of his col- 
umns was panick struck, and the other two 
were driven back. This retrea: has been as- 
cribed in some French publications to the 
treacherv and cowardice of our hero. A cele- 
brated French general, now in this country, is 
of a different opinion. He declares it was by 
a military fault of Miranda's that the French 
lost the victory at Nerwinde ; " Miranda," 
says he, " is not justly chargeable with treach- 
ery or cowardice." Dumourier, says, i% that 
either disconcerted, or willing to sacrifice his 
rival, Valence, he ordered his troops to re- 
treat." He sent no advice of his retreat to 
Dumourier, which neglect exposed the right 
wing and centre of the army to the whole 
weight of the enemy. - . , . 



284 

It seems that Miranda, was no friend to Du- 
mourier. Three days after the battle, it has been 
asserted, he wrote a letter to Pethion agains- 
this general. Miranda's partizans say this let- 
ter afforded him no justification. He after- 
wards published a memorial, in which he tells 
his protector,Pethion,that the expedition against 
Holland had been undertaken contrary to his 
advice ; that he had foreseen the mischiefs 
which would result from such a project ; and 
thatDumourier,in concert with Thou venot, had 
decided upon every thing without consulting 
him. As to the defeat at Nerwinde, he endea- 
voured to confirm the opinion then circulated, 
that it was owing to the treachery of the com- 
mander in chief and his adherents. At the 
same time he continued to correspond with 
Dumourier. Miranda did not save himself by 
this double faced precaution. He was arrested 
at the moment of the desertion of that general 
and was sent to Paris for trial. The revolu- 
tionary tribunal acquitted him in May. Before 
the end of the same month he was again arrest- 
ed. He appeared in person at the bar of the 
convention, to justify himself, but he did not 
obtain his liberty until the fall of the mountain. 
In October, 1795, he attempted to recover 




his lost influence by serving the convention 
against the sections. This expedition did not 
succeed. On the 22d of the same month his 
arre station was decreed. He was sentenced to 
be transported beyond the limits of France. In 
vain he endeavoured to effect a retraction of 
his sentence. He was delivered to a body of 
gens d'armes who were charged to conduct 
him to the frontiers. He got away from his es- 
cort and wrote to the directory, demanding a 
reversion of his sentence. This business was 
kept in train a long time, although the director 
Le Tourneur was his particular enemy. Fi- 

xittify-, me mn 01 September, nv t ^ «n«r 
residence in France. Fie was included in the 
grand deportation. England afforded him re- 
fuge. He was among the number whom Bona- 
parte did not recal in 1799. After this period 
he continued in London. Failing in various 
attempts to interest the British ministry in his 
project respecting South America, he embark- 
ed for New York, under the assumed name of 
George Martin of New Orleans. On the 2d 
of September he sailed fromTLngland and ar- 
rived in the United States on the 12th of No- 
vember following. Here he commenced ope- 
rations for carrying into effect his project of 



286 



twenty years contemplation, to revolutionize 
his native country. A mercantile house in 
New York furnished him with the ship and ar- 
mament, as has been described in this history. 
He gave Mr. Ogden three bills, one of five 
thousand, one of two thousand and one of eight 
hundred pounds sterling. The two last only 
were duly paid. The property taken by him 
from New York was all spent, dissipated, or 
remains in his hands. No part of the proceeds 
of the sale of the Leander was ever repaid to 
the original owners. 

Dumourier says of this personage 44 that he 
was a man of capacity and extensive informa- 
tion. He was better versed in the theory of 
war than any other of the French generals ; but 
he was not equally versed in the practice. 59 
He had been of great service to him in the dif- 
ferent attacks on the Prussians. But 44 he had 
a haughtiness of disposition and bluntness of 
manner, which beget him many enemies ; and 
he was unfit to command the French, whose 
confidence it is impossible to gain, but by 
good humour, and conduct expressive of re* 
spect for them." 

In the preceding history, Miranda's injudi- 
cious selection of his place of landing is men* 



tioned as one cause of his failure. The rea- 
sons in favour of his choice were not stated. 
His principal inducement probably was, that 
from information or rumour he imagined he 
had friends in Coro. In stating his grounds 
for expecting success, I might have placed 
them in a summary form by reciting four posi- 
tions laid down by one of his advocates at the 
outset. 

First, From the boundless extent of the 
coast of Spanish America, he can choose his 
point of landing. 

Second, From the same circumstance, the 
whole military force, that is to say, the milita- 
ry force from the mother country, is distribut- 
ed into small detachments, and these detach* 
ments are most remote from each other. In 
no single post in America can there be more 
than one thousand men. 

Third, The militia of the country arc inva- 
riably in his cause. 

Fourth, If he could therefore, raise a suffi- 
cient force to withstand the attack of two or 
three of these detachments, for more could ne- 
ver join, he would be enabled to maintain his 
ground ; and revolutionizing as he went, add 
his conquests to his force. 



288 



From this narrative in connexion with the 
prior history of gen. Miranda, you will receive 
an impression of his character not so favoura- 
as that entertained by many persons. I have 
related facts. They must be allowed to speak 
for themselves. His imagination and feelings 
were an overmatch for his judgment. He is 
more rash and presumptuous in projects, than 
dexterous in extracting himself from difficul- 
ties. In religion he is reputed skeptical ; but 
in our hearing he never derided subjects of 
this nature. He used formerly to talk infidel- 
ity to the offence of the serious ; experience 
has taught him caution, or he has changed his 
sentiments. It is said upon good authority 
that he partook the sacrament at Coro. He is 
too much of an enthusiast in his favourite ob- 
jects to allow his means to be enfeebled by 
moral scruples. I am willing to believe he has 
as much conscience as the impetuous passions 
of such men generally admit. 

I make a few remarks on his person, man- 
ners and petty habits. 

He is about five feet ten inches high. His 
limbs are well proportioned ; his wh©le frame 
is stout and active. His complexion is dark, 
florid and healthy. His eyes are hazel colour- 



289 

ed, but not of the darkest hue. Thev are 
peircing, quick and intelligent, expressing 
more of the severe than the mild feelings. He 
has good teeth, which he takes much care to 
keep clean. His nose is large and handsome, 
rather of the English than Roman cast. His 
chest is square and prominent. His hair is 
grey and he wears it tied long behind with 
powder. He has strong grey whiskers grow- 
ing on the outer edges of his ears, as large as 
most Spaniards have on their cheeks. In the 
contour of his visage you plainly perceive an 
expression of periinaciousness and suspicion. 
Upon the whole without saying he is an elegant, 
we may pronounce him a handsome man. He 
has a constant habit of picking his teeth. When 
sitting he is never perfectly still ; his foot or 
hand must be moving to keep time with his 
mind which is always in exercise. He always 
sleeps a few moments after dinner, and then 
walks till bed time, which with him is about 
midnight. He is an eminent example of tem- 
perance. A scanty or bad meal is never re- 
garded by him as a subject of complaint. He 
uses no ardent spirits ; seldom any wine. 
Sweetened water is his common beverage. 

Sweetness and warmth, says he, are the two 
b b 



290 



greatest physical goods ; and acid and cold 
are the greatest physical evils in the universe. 

He is a courtier and gentleman in his man- 
ners. Dignity and grace preside in his move- 
ments. Unless when angry, he has a great 
command of his feelings ; and can assume 
what looks and tones he pleases. In general 
his demeanour is marked by hauteur and dis- 
tance. When he is angry he loses discretion. 
He is impatient of contradiction. In discourse 
he is logical in the management of his thoughts. 
He appears conversant on all subjects. His 
iron memory prevents his ever being at a loss 
for names, dates and authorities. 

He used his mental resources and colloquial 
powers with great address to recommend him- 
self to his followers. He assumed the man- 
ners of a father and instructor to the young 
men. He spoke of the prospect of success, 
and of the preparations made for him with great 
confidence. The glory and advantages of the 
enterprise were described in glowing colours. 
At another time he detailed his travels, his 
sufferings and escapes in a manner to interest 
both their admiration and sympathy. He ap- 
peared the master of languages, of science and 
literature. In his conversations he carried his 



291 



hearers to the scenes of great actions and in- 
troduced them to the distinguished characters 
of every age. He took excursions to Troy, 
Babylon, Jerusalem, Rome, Athens and Syra- 
cuse. Men famed as statesmen, heroes, pa- 
triots, conquerors and tyrants, priests and 
scholars he produced, and weighed their merits 
and defects. Modern history and biography 
afforded him abundant topicks. He impressed 
an opinion of his comprehensive views, his in- 
exhaustible fund of learning ; his probity, his 
generosity and patriotism. After all, this man 
of renown, I fear, must be considered as hav- 
ing more learning than wisdom ; more theo- 
retical knowledge than practical talent ; too 
sanguine and too opinionated to distinguish 
between the vigour of enterprise and thehardU 
ness of infatuation. 



LETTER XXVIIL 

Geographical and statistical notices of Caraccas. 

United States, August 21s/, 1808. 

ACCORDING to received geographical 
accounts, the Spanish dominions in North A- 
merica extend from latitude 39 degrees 30 



292 



minutes to 7 degrees 30 minutes north, a length 
of 1920 geographical miles. The medial 
breadth is computed at 400 of the same miles. 
In South America they reach from the Carib- 
bean sea to the most southern promontory. 
They are divided into viceroyalties, audiences, 
provinces, governments, departments and mis- 
sions. Spain has under her sceptre in Mexico 
and South America fourteen or fifteen millions 
of people, 

I shall give a sketch of the captain general- 
ship of Caraeeas, that part on which Miranda 
made his attempt. Depons' voyage to the east- 
ern part of Terra Fir ma or the Spanish Main, 
in South America comprises an ample descrip- 
tion of this region ; and is the principal au- 
thority for the following notices. 

This territory is situated between the twelfth 
degree of north latitude and the equinoctial. 
It comprehends 

Venezuela, containing 500,000 inhabitants, 

Maracaibo, 100,000 

Cumasa, 80,000 

Spanish Guiana, 54,000 

Isle of Margaretta, 14,000 

728,00? 



Of the population, two tenths are whites, three, 
slaves, four, freedmen and their descendants, 
and the remainder indians. There is scarcely 
any emigration from Spain to Terra Firma. A 
great proportion of the whites receive a liberal 
education, such as it is, in the seminaries of 
the country and college and university of C'a- 
raccas. " Every one is ambitious," says Dr. 
Sans, as quoted by Depons, u of becoming a 
lawyer, a priest or a monk. Those whose pre- 
tensions are not so great wish to be notaries,, 
scriveners or clerks. 5> A military rank is an 
object of rivalry. A Sword is their dear com- 
panion. Decency, in their opinion, debars, 
them from agricultural pursuits and enjoins 
them to treat the mechanical arts with sove- 
reign contempt. They are charged with an 
extravagant passion for distinction. But the 
French traveller thinks that a happy revolution 
of opinion in these respects is on the eve of 
being accomplished, and every thing announces 
that the succeeding generation will exhibit a 
spectacle of a moral amelioration, achieved by 
the increased energy of the national wisdom, 
in consequence of the admission of whatever 
is useful in the principles of other nations. 

The Spaniards and Creoles of Caraccas are 
Bb2 



294 

mild, affable, polite and from prudence timid. 
Slaves can be freed, by paying the price they 
cost their masters. Freedmen are known by 
the name of people of colour* They exercise 
various trades, but are not fond of personal la- 
bour. They are formed into corps of militia 
Merit may raise a man of colour to the rank of 
captain. 

The laws respecting the indians are mild. 
But the indians are not good citizens. They 
are indolent and intemperate. 

The government of Caraccas, like that of 
other parts of Spanish America is so constitut- 
ed as to keep it dependent on the parent coun- 
try. The governor or captain general repre- 
sents the monarch and commands the military 
force. There are delegated governors, who 
have each an assessor. The Royal Audience 
of Caraccas consists of a president, who is the 
captain general, a regent, three judges, two 
fiscals ; one for criminal affairs 9 the other for 
the finances, with a reporter and other neces- 
sary officers. It administers justice, regulates 
the finances, and has other great prerogatives. 

The naval force of Terra Firma is trifling 
and could not resist a single frigate. Several 
seaports have fortresses, Maracaibo has 25,000 



295 



inhabitants, is defended by 3 forts and 4 com- 
panies of troops of the line, and a proportion 
of militia. The haven or port of Coro, called 
La vela de Coro, 16 leagues east of Maracaibo 
had at the time of our debarkation .2 batteries 
with 15 or 18 peices of cannon of various cal- 
ibers from 6 to 18 pounders. Porto Cabello 
or Cavello, 58 leagues to the east of Coro, has 
a strong fort with a large and numerous artil- 
lery. In time of war it is supplied with two 
companies of regular troops. In case of attack, 
says Depons, 3000 militia might be collected 
here in 8 davs. La Guira, the haven of Carac- 
cas 25 leagues to the east of Porto Cabello, is 
very strongly fortified. Cumana 100 leagues 
east of La Guira is of difficult access, has a fort 
and might present a force of 5000 men. The 
island of Margaretta 4 leagues north of Cuma- 
na has trifling batteries^ one company of regu- 
lar troops, one of artillery and several of mili- 
tia. Thus it appears the strong places are dis- 
tant from each other 60 or 100 leagues. Hence 
it is observed a debarkation on the coast might 
easily be effected in various places, and the 
troops proceed into the country, whilst the 
ships, by attacking the forts, would distract 
the military operations. 



296 



The military force as stated by Depons is a 
regiment of regular troops of 918 men, distri- 
buted at Caraccas, La Guira and Porto Cavel- 
o, Four hundred troops of the line are at 
Maracaibo, atCumana 150, at Guiana 150, and 
at Varinas 77. The artillery at the respective 
places is served by separate companies, be- 
sides militia. The whole armed force of the 
captain generalcy, regular troops and militia is 
stated at 13,059. 

There is no religion but the Roman Catho. 
lick. To be suspected of heresy is dangerous ; 
to be convicted fatal. The tribunals of the in- 
quisition are erected at Mexico, Lima and 
Carthagena, and are very powerful, They pro. 
hibit bad books to the number of 5420. Span- 
ish America abounds in priests, who are held 
in great respect. The missionaries are nume- 
rous. The churches are decent and often ele- 
gant, and are still asylums for criminals. The 
tithes are paid one tenth part to the king, one 
fourth to the bishop, one fourth to the chapter 
and remainder to the parish priests and to 
other pious uses. The income of the bishop 
of Caraccas is 40,000 dollars. 

The productions of this region are cocoa, 
coffee, sugar, indigo and tobacco. Besides 



297 



the present products, says Depons, there is & 
great variety of others which the soil offers to 
the inhabitants, without lequiring any advance 
or subjecting them to any trouble but that of 
collecting and bestowing on them a light and 
easy preparation. Among these he mentions, 
vanilla, wild cochineal, dying woods and barks, 
gums, rosin and medical oils, herbs, roots and 
bark for medicine. From this country half 
Europe might be supplied with wood for its 
luxurious furniture and equipage. Commerce 
might draw much from the animal kingdom* 
The neat cattle are calculated at 1,200,000, 
horses and mares 180,000, mules 90,000. 
Sheep are innumerable and deer abundant. 
Notwithstanding this abundance, agriculture is 
at a low ebb in this country. La Guira, Por- 
to Cabello, Maracaibo, Cumana, Barcelona, 
and Margaretta have a right to trade with the 
mother country. In 1796 the imports from 
Spain to Caraccas were estimated at 3, 1 18,81 1~ 
dollars, and the exports at 2,083, j 16 dollars. 
There is a limited trade to the other colonies, 
which brings about 400,000 dollars into the 
country. It exports to foreign West India 
islands articles of its own produce, except co- 
coa in neutral bottoms ; part of the returns 



298 



must be in negroes or in farming or house- 
hold utensils and the remainder in specie. But 
this remainder is principally smuggled in man- 
ufactured goods. The contraband trade, di- 
vided chiefly between Jamaica, Curacoa and 
Trinidad, is estimated at 750,000 dollars an- 
nually before the war of 1796. It has increas- 
ed greatly since that period. The whole reg- 
ular exports of Caraccas from 1793 to i796 
are stated at 12,252,415 dollars, from 1797 to 
1800, 6,442,318. The finances of Caraccas 
are under the direction of an intendant. The 
revenue arises principally from the customs, a 
duty of 5 per cent on sales from stamps, licen- 
ses, and tithes, and from the produce of the 
eruzada and of the sale of tobacco. The two 
last are destined for the treasury at home. 
There is usually a deficit, even in time of 
peace; in 1797 the receipt was 1. 140,788 dol- 
lars, expenditure 1,886.363. The population 
of some of the chief cities is thus stated. Ca- 
raccas 40 5 000, La Guira 6000. Porto Cavello 
.7600, Coro 10,000. The harbour, or La Ve- 
la de Coro, as it is commonly called, and its 
environs are supposed to contain not less than 
2000. 

In 1797 three state prisoners were sent from 



299 



Spain to Caraccas, on account of their revolu- 
tionary propensities. Being treated with great 
indulgence by the officers and soldiers to whose 
c are they were committed, they formed the 
project of a conspiracy against the government. 
They engaged a number of persons, some of 
them of consequence in their party. After 
gaining their first converts, the spirit did not 
spread, The coldness and apathy of the peo- 
ple did not admit of the effervesence they de- 
sired. After the plot had been kept a secre^- 
for many months it was disclosed to the gov- 
ernment. Some of the ringleaders escaped 
and others were taken* It was found that se- 
venty two had entered into the conspiracy j 
six were executed, The rest either escaped or 
were sent to the galleys or banished from the 
country. 



APPENDIX. 



The following particulars of the Imprisonment, 
Execution and Sufferings of the Prisoner s } 
were communicated to us by one of the unhap- 
py number, since his arrhal to his nathe 
shore. 

EXAMINATION AND SENTENCE OF 
THE PRISONERS. 

IN the month of June the chief Judicial 
Functionary, accompanied by four assistants, 
together with interpreters, arrived at Porto Ca- 
vello, for the purpose of examining the prison- 
ers. Here they were compelled to give evi- 
dence against themselves without the privilege 
of being heard in their defence ; and that be- 
fore a motley tribunal, which would almost 
beggar description. Five of them were brought 
up in the first instance, and the oaths adminis- 
tered in the manner of their own country. 
They were here questioned as to the object of 
the frustrated expedition ; whether it was sanc- 
tioned bv the government of the United States, 
&0, &c. To all which, answers ^verc returned. 



301 

were then remanded back to prison, 
and several days elapsed before they became 
acquainted w ith their fate. Indeed some would 
have gladly welcomed death, rather than en- 
dure the extreme hardships to which they w ere 
reduced. 

On the 20th July, before meridian, a large 
body of armed soldiers were drawn up near 
the prison-door, their muskets loaded, cocked, 
and bayonets fixed. The prison doors were 
then thrown open, and the prisoners ordered 
to march forward, with their ancles still in 
irons. In this situation they were marched 
into a yard, walled round, and ordered upon 
their knees ; the soldiers with their muskets 
still aimed at them— and instant death was ex- 
pected by the prisoners, at the Word Fire /— 
Soon however the interprets: appeared accom- 
panied with the officers and three Roman 
priests, and ten of the prisoners* were called 
to be barbarously sacrificed for their credulity. 

The interpreter then read t<> them the fol- 
lowing sentence : 

kC In the morning of to. morrow, at 6 o'clock, 
you and each of you, are sentenced to be hung 

* For their names see Letter xxv, page 242. 
c c 




302 



by the neck until you are dead ; after which 
your heads are to he severed from y our bodies, 
and placed upon poles, and distributed in dif- 
ferent parts of the country." 

The most undaunted resolution was discov- 
ered bv those sentenced to be executed. No 

entiment but" that of contempt for their p^rse- 

utors was perceptible. 

1 PARTICULARS OF THE EXECUTION. 

THE 2ist July, about 6 o'clock in the 
morning, the prisoners were alarmed by the 
>oise of the Spanish Soldiery, 300 in number, 
under arms. They were ordered to put on 
ivhat clothes they had (which were a few filthy 
tags) and after being lashed two together by 
he elbows, were placed in a line, between the 
oldiers, for marching. The ten prisoners to 
e executed were then brought out from their 
eparate cells, to which they were conveyed 
fter their sentence, to prepare for the sacrifice ; 
ith their hands lashed, covered with white 
:>bes, and a white cap upon their heads. The 
Catholic prisoners were each attended by a 
ioman priest, carrying in their hands the 
-.nplemtnts of the church. — Thus did they 
narch, with irons on their feet, to the place of 
execution, which was about 40 rods from the 



prison.— Having reached the gallows, those to 
be executed were placed in front, the other 
prisoners in the rear. 

Being now ready to proceed to the execu- 
tion, the prisoners awaited their fate with the 
utoriost composure ; discovering a firmness 
and resolution which entitled them to a better 
fate. 

Mr. Farquarson, was the firs^ selected for 
execution. Being led to the steps of the gal- 
lows by the Jack Ketch of the day, his irons 
were taken off, and he led up to the top of the 
scaffold , where he was seated fronting his fel- 
low prisoners ; he rose upon his feet, and bade 
adieu to his companions in a most affectionate 
manner. He was then launched into eternity. 

In the same manner they proceeded to exe- 
cute the remaining nine ; leaving the Catholics 
until the last. 

Here it may not be conceived amiss to recite 
the barbarous method which was pursued after 
these unfortunate men were suspended from 
the gallows. The Executioner of the Day, 
who was a Negro 5 and who was promised his 
liberty for the performance of the office, let 
himself down upon the ropes, and seated him- 
self upon their shoulders, with his feet hanging 



394 



upon the breast, when he beat the breath out 
their bodies. 

With one exception they all had something 
to say to their companions ere a final separa- 
tion. Begad, a native of Poland, evinced in- 
difference for the fate which awaited him : he 
observed that they had all suffered much, but 
that his miseries were soon to end ; declared 
his innocence, and his belief that the arms of 
Miranda would rid the survivors of their 
chains. 

Mr. Donohue. after his priest had left him, 
observed, — " Fellow Prisoners, I wish you a 
final adieu, (then pointing towards the Span- 
iards) these blood- hounds will ere long pay 
the forfeit of their infamy." 

After execution, their bodies Avere taken 
down and laid upon a block ; when the Negro 
with a chopping-knife severed the heads from 
their shoulders, and held them by the hair, 
bleeding, to public view ! 

Maranda's colours were now cut down, and 
triumphantly carried some short distance from 
the gallows, where, were placed, in a pile, the 
uniform clothes, hats, and warlike instruments 
of the officers ; upon the top of which the col- 
ours were placed, and fire set to them. 

The scene of death and butchery lasted from 



305 



six o'clock in the morning until one in the 
afternoon, when the remainder of the prisoners 
were returned to their respective prisons, there 
to await transportation to their respective places 
of servitude. 

The day after the execution, thejyinderstood 
permission would be granted them to write to 
their friends, their letters first to be inspected 
by a public officer ; and if approved of, were 
to be forwarded to their friends or relations in 
the United States. This rendered great cir- 
cumspection necessary, for fear of displeasing 
the Spaniards ; and hence the omission of facts 
relative to the execution of their companions, 
which had excited some doubts in the minds 
of their friends as to the truth of the news re- 
specting their fate, 

THE Prisoners are removed to Carthagena. 
"Their Imprisonment and Sufferings, 

HAVING returned-from witnessing the ex- 
ecution of their companions, the prisoners 
were kept in confinement, without any amelio- 
ration of their condition. They wished for the 
day to arrive when they should be taken out 
for the purpose of being removed to their re- 
spective places of servitude, hoping that some 
auspicious circumstance might favour an es- 
cape. The expected day arrived on the 7th 
of August, when, after the most critical in- 
c c 2 



306 



spection by the Spaniards to avoid the possi- 
bility of their effecting an escape, they were 
taken out and carried on board of an armed 
merchant-ship of ten guns, in order to be con- 
veyed to Carthagena, an extensive seaport 
town situated on the Main, a distance of about 
three hundred miles from Porto Caveilo At 
the mouth of this harbour is situated Bocca 
Chica, to which place a portion of the prison- 
ers were sentenced, At this place the remain* 
der were to continue until a convenient oppor- 
tunity offered to transport them to their places 
of destination. 

The prisoners were all placed between the 
decks, and guarded by about fifty soldiers, 
exclusive of the ship's crew. Thus situated 
it must have been extremely difficult to put 
into execution any effectual plan for the pur- 
pose of regaining their liberty. But situated 
as they were, no means, however desperate, 
would have been declined which should afford 
them any probability of sugccss. 

Several schemes were concerted, and all 
frustrated ; preparations were made for ridding 
themselves of their irons during the nis;ht ? — 
when they were to rise upon the guard, take 
commarrd of the vessel, and thereby endeavor 
to effect their escape. — But just before the ap- 
pointed time arrived, they were surprised to 
-see the guard about their persons increased, 
and their irons often inspected. This circum- 
stance induced a belief that some one of their 
numher had betrayed them. 

The prisoners, finding they had failed in one 
scheme, had recourse to another. It was pro* 
posed ^uid agreed to, that in case no prospect 



should appear ol effecting their escape, be lore 
they should reach Carthagena, one of their 
number should, at a time agreed upon, de- 
scend into the magazine-room, put fire to the 
powder, and thus instantly terminate their ex- 
istence. This scheme was likewise frustrated. 

Carthagena was now in sight, and ail hopes 
of escape were lost : Just as they were making 
the port an English frigate hove in sight, be- 
ing in full chase after them ; but she was toe 
late,— an uncommon fatality seemed to attend 
all their prospects of relief. They arrived at 
Carthagena on the 17th of August, after a 
voyage of ten days. c 

The next day they were all marched up to 
the prison, ready to receive them. The sor- 
rowful appearance the prisoners made in 
marching along, in their irons, through the 
town, (about 47 in number) without a cover- 
ing for their heads, barefooted, and in rags, 
drew forth a motley group of Spaniards to be- 
hold them ; the shabby appearance of many, 
however, proved that the prisoners were not 
quite out of fasion in their tattered garments. 

Arrived at the place of confinement, they 
were separate*!, and put into three different 
hovels, almost destitute of the light of the sun, 
hot, filthy, and without any thing to rest their 
heads upon but the bare ground. Whilst con- 
templating on their wretched situation, they 
were comforted by the information that these 
were only temporary places of confinement ; 
and they were soon removed tt> a more spa~ 
cious prison, fitted for the purpose, 90 feet in 
iength, and 30 in width, though no -light was 



308 



admitted except what entered through the 
gratings of the prison-door. 

Here 28 in number (the others having com- 
menced their laborious servitude at Bocca 
Chica) were destined to linger out a wretched 
existence, with 251bs. of chain riveted on their 
emaciated limbs ; their beds made of stone, 
and their pillows of brick, with a scanty pit- 
tance of food barely sufficient to support na- 
ture. 

After enduring for many months their ex- 
treme sufferings from loathsome heat, sickness, 
scanty food, and their galling chains, they 
were gratified, for the first time since their 
capture, by an interview with one of their own 
countrymen, Capt. Barker of New York. 
This gentleman having lost his vessel in the 
South Seas, and hearing of the sufferings of 
the prisoners, obtained leave to visit them ; 
he humanely sympathized with them — 
rendered them such pecuniary aid as his 
finances would admit and obtained permission 
for the prisoners to receive such assistance as 
their friends might wish to send them. 

Conscious as they were of having violated 
the laws of their country — yet they were also 
conscious that they had been led unwarily to 
embark in the unfortunate cause, resolved to 
draw up a memorial to the Government, sta- 
ting their unhappy situation, .and praying their 
interference for relief — The memorial was for- 
warded to our Government by Capt Barker ; 
but without the desired effect, owing to par- 
ticular circumstances relative to the expedition, 
anci the difficulties which existed at that time 
between the two governments. 



309 



'Memorial of twenty citizens of the United States of Ame« 
rica, confined under sentence of Slavery* in the Dominions 
of his most Catholic Majesty, the King rf Sfiain> to iht 
President, Senate^ and House of Representatives : 

SHEWS, that we your Memorialists, are natives of 
the United States of America, and for the most part of 
the city of New-York, and are part of a number of men 
of the same description, who were brought from New- 
York in February last, in the ship Leander, Thomas 
Lewis commander, under circumstances of treachery and 
imposition, which your memorialists will proceed to ex- 
plain.- Samuel G. Ogden has been known, for some 

time, &s owner of the Ship Leander, which vessel had, lor 
some time, been employed by him in a forced trade, for 
which purpose she has been heavily armed ; consequent^ 
ly there was less danger of her war-like equipments 
awakening suspicion on the part of the public, or in the 
breasts of your memorialists, of any illegal undertaking. 
Of the whole number of your memorialists, some were at- 
tached to the vessel, some were employed for military 
service, and others for the exercise af their ordinary oc* 
cupations and trade. Those of the first description, were 
shipped in the usual manner, on a voyage to Jacmel 
and back to New- York ; the rest were engaged by Col. 
Wm. Smith, Mr. John Fink. Col. Wro. Armstrong, and 
Mr. Daniel R. Burning, to proceed to New Orleans, and 
other places not mentioned, under the command of Mr. 
Armstrong, and Mr Durning ; who, as was falsely and 
shamefully mentioned, had been appointed by Govern- 
ment, to carry thither a certain number of men as a 
guard to the Mail. Under the influence of such, ?nd 
other specious assurances, your memorialists embarked 
at Staten Island, and were carried immediately to sea* 
Shortly after leaving the port, it was discovered that 
Gen. Miranda was on board, together with a number of 
persons not before known to your memorialists, who ap- 
peared in the characters of officers, attached to his peison. 
The ship proceeded on her voyage until off '-Bermuda, 
where she was examined by his Brittanic Majesty's 
frigate Cleopatra Capt. White, who suffered her to pro- 
ceed, notwithstanding the discovery that she was loaded 
with arms and warlike stores, and arrived at Jacmel on 
]9*h of February, where the vessel remained until the 
57th of March following. During this interval, much dis* 



310 



content was occasioned among many of your memorial- 
ists, in as much as they now found themselves in # coun- 
try whither they hud not undertaken lo gg$ and prevented 
by force from returning ; exercised in military duty, 
under the mon -arbitrary power, on the part of Gen. Mi- 
randa. Col Armstrong and Mr Burning ; prevented noni 
writing to their friends in the United States, arc! Kept in 
ignorance as to the ultimate object of the expedition. 
Sorre oi your memorialists attempted an escape o Port 
au-PnncA or some other part of St% DomH-po cut was 
defeated by M the diRgdhce of Miranda s officers. In Jac- 
me], the schooners Bee and Bacchus were employed to 
accompany the ship in her vovage. On hoard of these 
vessels vour memorialists were obliged to embark, and 
left St Domingo on the 27th of March After ha\ing 
touc ed at the Island of \ruba lor refreshments, the 
three vessels proceeded towards the coast of Terra ! - ir- 
ma between { aguira and Porto Cavelio, where they ar- 
rived on the 27th of \pnl, when the schooners in which 
your memorialists were embarked being deserted by the 
Leander, Were captured by two Spanish cruizers, and 
carried into Porto Ca'vello. where they were all proceeded 
against, under charges of Piracy, Sec On the 12tii of 
July this process was closed by the Captain General of 
Caraccas, and ten (who were considered to have been 
wilfully engaged) were condemned to death ; nineteen 
to eight years slavery at Bocca Chica, fourteen to ten 
years slavery at Porto Rico ; and foureen to ten years 
slavery at Ornoa, in the Province of Mexico. The 
ten who received ^ente^ce of death, were hanged and be- 
headed on the 2 1st of July. Your memorialists, together 
with their companions, sentenced to Bocca Chica, with 
others who are prevented by sickness from joining in this 
memorial, were soon after removed to this place. Where 
they have been about three months, Your memorialists 
are in close confinement, and in irons, and will remain so 
until they are removed to their respective stations, at 
Omoa and Porto Rico. 

Your memorialists predicate their right to claim the in- 
terference of Government in their behalf, upon the original 
innocence of their intentions, and the veracity of the state- 
ment they have offered. To establish these to your satis- 
faction, they beg that the persons herein after mentioned, 
who are informed of the intrigue that was exen ised by 
Cop Smith and others, his colleagues, may be appealed 



311 



to, viz. Mr. Daniel Kemper, whose son was executed; 
CoL Marrinus Willet, Mr. Brinkerhoff, tatern keeper, 
William Rutledge, ship joiner, Samuel W'riship, and 
Francis White, butchers, all of \ T evv-York, \nd if it shall 
a ppear by the testimony of these persons, that the ac- 
count of your memorialists be worthy of credit that they 
have Ueen betrayed and entrapped by the cunning engines 
of specious, needy and designing men, who still remain 
within the reach of the law, in a situation to be made 
responsible in their persons, the innocence ot your memo- 
rialists, thev trust, will be equally manifest, and they will 
still be considered by the constituted authorities of their 
cou try, entitled to its protection and support.— And 
your memorialists shall ever pray. 
Carthagena, Dec. 30, 1806. 

Signed by 20 of the prisoners. 

BREACH OF PRISON. 

FINDING their hardships almost insuffer- 
able, the prisoners again turned their attention 
to the breach began in the wall of the prison, 
which they had commenced some time before. 
Not a moment was lost which could be devo- 
ted to the purpose with safety ; and at the ex* 
piration of about seven months their labour 
was so far completed, as to affprd them the 
jf opportunity to leave the prison the first favor- 
able moment* 

About the 7th of November, just before 
meridian of night, they were prepared to take 
their departure. After forming their company 
into three divisions, and agreeing on the order 
in which they should proceed, Mr. Lippin- 
eourt and Sherman led the van ; who, after 
traversing the country for several nights, and 
concealing themselves during each day, they 
were joined by one of their late comrades, Mr. 
I Moseo Smith, who, from indi position, had 
been unable to proceed with the other party ; 



and, from the vigilance with which he was 
pursued by the Spanish Cavalry, had been two- 
days withotu any kind of sustenance. Shortly 
afterwards they all three embarked on board 
a boat, and put to sea, in hopes of being pick- 
ed up by the vessel of some friendly nation, 
ypnis anticipation was happily realized, and they 
arrived in the United States in January, 1808. 

The other fifteen prisoners, after several 
days of extreme f rigue, met with an old Span- 
iard, who knew them, and engaged for about 
50 dollars, the last farthing of their pecuniary 
funds, that he uould place them within forty 
miles of Carthagena, from whence they might 
easily make their escape ; the money was ac- 
cordingly paid. But previous to their embark- 
ation the Spaniard was informed that the 
Governor had offered ten dollars a head for 
these unfortunate men; which induced him to 
form the plan of treacherously giving them 
up. The prisoners, together with several 
Spaniards, embarked, as they conceived, for 
Carthagena ; but the traitor had too effectually 
matured his plan of deception, — and rowing 
tp the shore under a feigned pretence, fifty 
armed men appeared, and instantly conducted 
them back to prison. 

They were iRost severely punished for en- 
deavoring to effect their escape ; and it was 
understood their confinement would be length- 
ened ; but since which we are happy to learn, 
all those deluded sufferers who did not fail vic- 
tims to Spanish persecution, have arrived safe 
to their native country, and the arms of their 
friends. V-X . , ■ 



I 




